LG's most popular current generation OLED TV has been discounted starting today. Right now Amazon has dropped the price of the 65" LG Evo C4 4K OLED TV to $1,396.99. The LG Evo C-series of TVs - including this model - have consistently been our favorite high-end 4K TVs for HDR movie watching and current generation console gaming.

65" LG Evo C4 4K OLED Smart TV for $1397

Fear not, friends — a new series of Taskmaster is just around the corner. The beloved British panel show, which has recently blown up in the U.S. because of how incredibly TikTok-able it is and how incredibly easy it is to watch for free, has released a trailer for series 19 of the show. Luckily for fans, they even dropped the series’ release date.

In the minute-long sneak peek, fans get a glimpse of the show’s classic style, but featuring a new cast of comedians in the hot seats. Fatiha El-Ghorri, Jason Mantzoukas, Mathew Baynton, Rosie Ramsey and Stevie Martin are the stars of series 19, with Mantzoukas being the only non-English comic on the panel.

Vampires are a cornerstone of horror cinema, arising even before Universal opened Dracula’s coffin in Hollywood’s relative infancy. Since then, we’ve seen vampires of every iteration — the glittery heartthrobs, the ugliest creatures, the prankster roommates, and countless other reinventions. There have always been vampires lurking in shadows, and there will forever be batty wings flapping under the moonlight. Our task here is to highlight the best of the best vampire movies throughout history, covering period highlights as horror movements came and went faster than Drac stepping into the sunlight.

As always, there are personal favorites that haven't squeaked their way onto this list but still deserve recognition. Movies like Suck, The Transfiguration, Byzantium, Blood Red Sky, and Blade deserve to be in the conversation when fans discuss their favorite vampire movies, and we’d love to hear some of your suggestions! After reading our selections below, hit the comments with some vampire movies you rank as crowning achievements in vampire cinema.

But for now, let’s take a bite out of this massive subgenre. Here are the 25 best vampire movies of all time. You can also look at the best monster movies for more picks.

25. Vampyr (1932)

During today's Mario Kart World Direct, we got a closer look at a number of new tracks, features, and racers, including Penguin. We've known Penguin was in the game since its reveal last week, but today's Direct decided to feature this blue cutie in a very meme-specific way...by repeatedly throwing him off cliffs.

This happened not once, but twice during the Direct, as fans have pointed out on social media. On one occasion, Penguin simply misjudges a curve and sails neatly off over an icy landscape:

Even Nintendo is deliberately dropping blue penguins off of icy ledges.#MarioKartWorld #MarioKartWorldDirect #Nintendo #Switch2 pic.twitter.com/0eMsUE24Jz

— Jonathan Leung (@VGMaps) April 17, 2025

But in a second, even more on the nose move, a Penguin in Free Roam drives straight off a cliff into the sea below while music from Super Mario 64 toodles away in the background:

29 years later and we still chucking penguins off of cliffs like in Mario 64#MarioKartWorld pic.twitter.com/7klPg5rZkM

— 🔥FireShadow64🔥(DROP THE PRICE) (@FireShadow64) April 17, 2025

If you're confused as to why this is noteworthy, allow me to draw your attention to a long-standing community meme of Penguin from Super Mario 64. In Super Mario 64, players discovered years ago that it was possible to collect a Power Star from Mother Penguin by returning Baby Penguin to her, then to take Baby Penguin after the star appears and take them away again...or even drop them off a cliff:

This bit has been memed into fame for over a decade by the Mario community, so it's extremely funny to see Nintendo acknowledge it even if it's in a somewhat subtle, plausible-deniability kind of way. Is this a horrendous thing to do? Society still hasn't come down cleanly on one side or another of the Penguin-cliff debate. At least Mario Kart World gives Penguin a nice little water vehicle so they can just keep going once they've landed.

Today's Mario Kart Nintendo Direct wasn't exactly the font of new information many were hoping it would be, but we still got word on some interesting new stuff: more new characters, courses, items, and features, as well as a close look (courtesy of Penguin and others) of the new open world Free Roam mode, which will let players drive around anywhere in the world without restraint.

You can catch up on everything announced right here.

Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. You can find her posting on BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.

Absolute Batman's first 6-issue arc came to a close this past March, with April's issue #7 set to introduce a new take on the iconic villain Mr. Freeze. If keeping track of single issue comics isn't your thing, trade paperpack collections are a must-have for those looking to get completed stories and physical media. Absolute Batman Volume 1: The Zoo, written by comics legend Scott Snyder with art by Nick Dragotta, collects issues one through six and is currently available for preorder. It releases on August 5.

It's available at a number of different retailers, but is currently discounted at Amazon. You can get the paperback for edition for $16.19 (10% off) and the hardcover for 23.24 (7% off).

Absolute Batman Vol. 1: The Zoo Preorder Sale

The Heroes and Villains-themed Disney Destiny is set to make its maiden voyage from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on November 20, 2025, and Disney just revealed a ton of new info on the latest cruise ship about to join its fleet.

There is a lot to look forward to on the Disney Destiny, including a Lion King dining experience, a Hercules Broadway-style show, and so much more, and we're here to break down everything you need to know.

The Disney Destiny Is All About Celebrating The Heroes and Villains We Love

Heroes and Villains are the name of the game for the Disney Destiny, and Disney wants its guests to be "inspired, encouraged, and empowered" by these characters during their journey. This sense of wonder will begin the moment you step on the Disney Destiny and are greeted by the Grand Hall and a one-of-a-kind statue of Black Panther. The Grand Hall will also feature 360-degree lighting effects that will, at times, take on the colors of some of our favorite characters to build the mood and immersion even more.

As for who we may see, Disney has revealed Loki will be up to his mischievous ways and will attempt to declare himself ruler of the ship and will cause chaos with "grand proclamations, questionable storytelling, surprise competitions, and more."

Creuella de Vil will also take center stage as she will let guests "put their personal style to the test on [her] very own wretched runway or take part in a bit of treble-making as they create a lyrical tribute to her marvelousness."

Furthermore, Cruella is the inspiration for De Vil's piano lounge that will have exclusive drinks like the Fashionista and Fearless Sir Galahad alongside and a "Hollywood Regency-inspired aesthetic." Oh, and a piano that looks just like a dalmatian.

The Villains don't get the only spotlight, however, as The Sanctum will take inspiration from Doctor Strange and some of his artifacts like the Cloak of Levitation and spell books from the library of Kamar-Taj. This lounge will have drinks and food, and you can check them out below.

Lastly, the Disney Destiny will be the first Disney cruise ship to feature a Marvel character on its stern as Spider-Man and his Spider-Bots will grace the filigree on the back of the ship.

These are just a few examples of the heroes and villains that will be the stars of Disney Destiny, and they will join such others as Dr. Facilier, Maleficent, Hades, Captain Hook, Mr. Smee, Captain Jack Sparrow, Bruno, and more.

Hercules' Broadway-Style Show Will Lead the Charge of Entertainment on the Disney Destiny

Disney Hercules, the Destiny's Broadway-style show, has us very excited as The Tale of Moana on the Disney Treasure was one of the best shows we've seen on land or at sea. This adaptation of the beloved Disney classic will feature all the music and characters you know and love alongside new additions like the song, 'Shooting Star,' which was actually cut from the original film.

Hercules himself will be played by Corey J. Bradford, who recently wowed guests at a Disney Destiny media preview with his rendition of 'Go the Distance,' and he will be confronted once again by the terrifying Hyrdra, who is being brought to life by award-winning puppet designer Michael Curry.

Disney Hercules will be just one of the shows featured in the Destiny's Walt Disney Theater alongside Frozen, A Musical Spectacular and Disney Seas the Adventure.

Guests will also be able to enjoy shows and games inside of Saga, the central hub for "daytime family activities and adult exclusive evening entertainment." Saga's architecture is inspired by Wakanda, and will feature encounters with Maleficent, Match Your Mate, Family Time Game Show, a new Aquamouse story with villains, and more.

Pride Lands: Feast of the Lion King Will Be Just One of the Many Dining Experiences to Remember

While the Disney Treasure had the incredible Plaza de Coco dining experience, the Disney Destiny is getting its own version inspired by The Lion King. The legendary songs and moments from this Disney classic will be just one part of a night to remember at Pride Lands: Feast of the Lion King.

Storytells Mwongozo and Shaha will be taking us through the story of the great Simba, and other performers will help bring these moments to life with costumes, props, authentic African instrruments, and more.

As for the meal itself, Disney aims to "balance the wide-ranging flavors of African cuisines with familiar fare that will satisfy the whole family." Such highlights include Nala's Roasted Pork Tenderloin, Pan-seared Berbere-spiced Roasted Chicken, Cape Malay Shrimp Curry, Heirloom Tomato Kachumbari, Pineapple Upside Down Cake, Warm Chocolate Malva Pudding, and even drinks like the Can You Feel the Rum Tonight? and the Slimy Yet Satisfying.

Other dining experiences on the Disney Destiny include Worlds of Marvel with Rocket and Groot, 1923, Palo Steakhouse, Enchanté by Chef Arnaud Lallement, The Rose, the Pirates of the Caribbean-inspired Cask & Cannon, Cafe Megara, Cafe Merida, and more.

The Incredibles will also be getting there own themed sweets shop with Edna A La Mode Sweets, which will be the place to get handmade gelato, ice cream, cookies, candies, and specialty treats.

The Disney Destiny Has So Much More In Store

There is still so much more to learn about the Disney Destiny, and we'll be updating this article and more as new details are revealed!

While you wait, be sure to read our Disney Treasure Ultimate Guide as the Destiny is its sister ship, check out more official details on the Disney Destiny and see much we loved the Haunted Mansion Parlor on the Disney Treasure as it will also be on the Destiny.

Adam Bankhurst is a writer for IGN. You can follow him on X/Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on TikTok.

USB Type-C has become the standard for charging and data cables alike, so it's good to have extra on hand. Here's a deal where you can get a bunch of cables for pennies on the dollar. Amazon is offering a five-pack of Lisen USB Type-C cables in varying sizes for only $7.96 after a 50% off promo code "478NN6HT" is applied during checkout. That averages out to about $1.59 per cable. USB Type-C cables typically go for about $5-$10 per cable at your local big box store.

5-Pack of USB Type-C Cables for $7.96

Starting today, Dell is offering an Alienware Aurora R16 gaming PC equipped with the new GeForce RTX 5080 GPU for just $2,399.99 shipped. This is one of the best prices you can get right now for an RTX 5080 equipped prebuilt, especially since most other brands seem to be jacking up prices steadily since the RTX 50 series launch in January. The only other prebuilt you can get at Dell with an RTX 5080 GPU costs over $4,000. Good luck trying to find a standalone GPU to build out your own DIY PC; you'll probably spend as much for the GPU as you would this entire system.

Update: Just like everyone else, Dell has also been hit by tariffs. WIth the stock situation of the Blackwell cards not looking any better, prices on Alienware gaming desktops with RTX 50 series GPUs are expected to go up in the near future.

Alienware Aurora R16 RTX 5080 Gaming PC for $2,400

Starting today, Walmart has slashed the price of the 75" Sony X85K 4K Google TV down to only $648, a savings of $650 or 50% off. This is the lowest price we've ever seen, and $150 less than the best deal during Black Friday or Cyber Monday. Although the X85K is an older 2022 model, it has the features you'd want in a current-gen gaming TV.

50% Off 75" Sony X85K 4K Smart TV, Now $648

“In 28 Years Later, we tried imagining how a world would rebuild itself after an apocalypse,” director-producer Danny Boyle explained in this exclusive behind-the-scenes video, which you can watch via the player below. (Check out the latest trailer here.)

Boyle and writer-producer Alex Garland teamed for the original 2002 film 28 Days Later but skipped its 2007 sequel, 28 Weeks Later. “It doesn't feel like a sequel. It feels like an original film,” said Boyle.

Returning to the world he created, Garland considered the effect the passage of so much time would have not only on Britain but also the infected.

“Initial conversations were often about imagining what does 28 years later mean? If the infection is still in Britain, what does the infection look like?,” said Garland. “How does the rest of the world respond to that? Has the country been quarantined, essentially abandoned?”

Garland continued, “When countries collapse for one reason or another, they're often abandoned. There's a ruthless, pragmatic, dog-eat-dog dimensions to the way these things play out.”

That abandoned Britain is represented in the early portions of the film by Lindisfarne (aka Holy Island), a tidal island on the Northumberland Coast. While that isolation offers some safe haven to the married protagonists played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Jodie Comer, it also robs them of any 21st century advantages.

“Holy Island, which is where our film begins, it's protected by a causeway that you can defend, but there's the lack of machinery, no electricity or fuel,” explained Boyle.

“Everything that surrounds our life now, suddenly it's useless. The mainland then becomes somewhere over there, which has both promise and threat.”

That threat, of course, is the infected, who Boyle referred to as “extraordinary creatures.”

As he did with imagining a Britain nearly three decades after an apocalypse, Garfield also considered how the passage of time would affect the infected who are not zombies per se.

“They haven't died and come back to life. They're living people who've got sick and been infected with a rage virus. That dictates some stuff,” said Garfield.

“They need to drink, they need to eat. If they've survived 28 years infected with this disease, what would they look like? Are they similar to anything in the animal kingdom? What would they be similar to?”

Fans will have to find that out when 28 Years Later hits theaters June 20th.

The free-to-play 3D waifu sci-fi RPG shooter Snowbreak: Containment Zone just dropped its latest update, and it adds lots of new content. There are new characters, skins, gameplay modes, and even more on the horizon.

If you’re not familiar with Snowbreak, it’s a third-person RPG shooter on PC and mobile that takes place in a world where giant beings known as Titans suddenly appear in heavily populated areas. They cause untold destruction and leave a toxic substance known as Titagen in their wake. Leaders joined together to form the Heimdall Force, a paramilitary unit whose mission is to fight back against these Titans.

You play as the Adjutant of the Heimdall Force, and your job is to recruit and lead a squad of female super soldiers. Known as Manifestations, these soldiers awakened to their powers after the first arrival of the Titans, and the strongest among them are even able to use Titagen in combat without the ill effects normally associated with it.

The story is told in chapters, with each chapter further broken down into stages. In each combat stage, you form a squad of three characters, each of whom have their own unique skills. You only control one character on the battlefield at a time, and using their skills drains energy, which slowly refills over time. So you need to strategically swap between each of your characters to make the best use of their abilities without fully draining their energy. As you progress, you can build relationships with members of your squad by giving them gifts or deploying them in combat. As their affinity for you grows, you’ll get to know them better.

The latest update adds a new story scenario called Abyssal Dawn, which will have you investigating an incident with the two characters who are also new additions in the update: Nerida and Nita - Pulse.

Nerida is self-demanding, often solitary, and can be stern with others but not to you. She likes sweet snacks, plushies, and ancient marine life models, and she’s obsessed with deep-sea documentaries and jellyfish care. She’s equipped with a Chaos-type assault rifle, and her role is the primary damage dealer of your squad.

She excels with both single-target and area-of-effect attacks and can build up the Internal Injury effect on enemies with both her Standard Skill and Ultimate, which summons a jellyfish that provides AoE damage buffs and stays on the field even if you switch to another character. You can then switch back to her to use her Standard Skill, which deals big burst damage by consuming the Internal Injury effect you’ve built up.

Nita - Pulse is casual yet perceptive, driven by money but protective of the vulnerable. While she’s on the battlefield, she keeps her eyes peeled for items of value and likes to pocket them, like Titagen objects. She wields a Thermal-type shotgun and brings a new QTE combat mechanic with her. Successfully chain QTE inputs together during her Standard Skill to deal increased damage, and if you fully complete the chain, she unleashes a final powerful strike.

Nita - Pulse is free to acquire for all players, available now by completing the Pulse Puzzles event. She’ll also be available for free as a login reward during the Nita’s Invitation event that starts May 1. If you participate in that event, you’ll also be able to earn Nita’s fully modified exclusive weapon, maxed Auctus Drive (her version of a Manifestation), and signature fixed-talent Logistics squad. So in one event, you can max out her full build at no cost.

If you’re wondering what the Pulse Puzzles event is, that’s another new addition with the latest update. As the name implies, it’ll have you solve puzzles across various parts of the game. It’s a chance to relax and better understand Nita, and it will be permanently available, so you can do it at your own pace. To get to know Nita even more, there’s also a new interactable scene with her called Grove of Secrets that’s available from now until May 29.

Nita - Pulse and Nerida were both introduced alongside additional skins. Nita’s transforms her into a white-haired forest nymph, and Nerida’s features interchangeable parts, including footwear and stockings, similar to the customization options available for Vidya. But they’re not the only ones getting new looks.

The update added new outfits for Katya, Fenny, and Bubu. Katya was introduced a year ago and is known for her unique appearance and characteristics. Fenny has been in the game since launch and become a fan favorite, and Bubu is a character from last year’s traditional-themed event.

There’s also a new hide-and-seek gameplay mode called Let’s Go, Heimdall! for 15 players at a time, where three seekers try to find 12 hiders. On the horizon is the much-anticipated Emotional Purge mode, which adds cover-based shooting gameplay. It’ll first be available on April 28 and will be further refined in future updates.

And in addition to her new costume, Bubu is also getting a new dorm room at your home base. That also adds new interactable furniture in the form of her Tranquil Desk Set.

Those are the highlights of this update, but there’s even more that’s been added. You’ll just have to play it to see it all. Snowbreak: Containment Zone is available to download for free right now on Steam, iOS, and Android, and it’s cross-platform, so your progress is shared across all platforms. To learn more about the game, characters, and world, check out the official website or join the community on Twitter, Facebook, or Discord.

Warning: This review contains full spoilers for season 3 of The Wheel of Time

Season 3 of The Wheel of Time is by far its best yet, building on the rich worldbuilding of the first two seasons while largely avoiding their melodrama and pacing issues. Skillfully fusing aspects of three of Robert Jordan’s books – The Dragon Reborn, The Shadow Rising, and The Fires of Heaven – the show condenses plots to keep the action moving while improving on some of the characters by giving them more depth. It makes some bold choices of adaptation, but overall the series is making the sprawling fantasy epic look great while keeping to its themes and ambition.

The ta’veren of Emond’s Field started the series as whiny, resentful, or wide-eyed about the change in fortunes brought by the Aes Sedai Moiraine Damodred (Rosamund Pike), but they’ve grown significantly as characters as they’ve gained more power. The most improved is Rand al’Thor (Josha Stradowski), who has embraced his destiny as the Dragon Reborn by heading to the Aiel Wastes to raise an army. Stradowski brings an intensity to the role that simmers in quieter moments and fully ignites when he ferociously makes his case as the chosen one in the finale.

A major theme of The Wheel of Time is how change cannot be stopped or controlled, and it’s a lesson that many of the characters have to learn the hard way. Egwene al’Vere (Madeleine Madden) tries to cope with her traumatic experience at the hands of the Seanchan by resuming her relationship with Rand. But the childhood sweethearts can’t confront their demons until they make mutual respect, not love, the basis of their connection. It’s a richer portrayal of how those characters evolve together and apart than the books presented, enhanced by Madden’s ability to match Stradowski’s intensity as she blends both deep strength and emotional vulnerability.

Meanwhile, Perrin Aybara (Marcus Rutherford) tries to escape the coming war by returning to the Two Rivers and finds he must instead embrace his potential as a leader. The character often feels tangential in Jordan’s books, but the show’s writers do their best to do right by him, strongly weaving in his desire to avoid violence with the greater arc of the season. Perrin’s plot is strengthened by the addition of Faile Bashere (Isabella Bucceri), who has more personality in the show than on the page, where Jordan’s women often feel too similar. Bucceri brings plenty of charm to the role with her wry smile and teasing of Perrin, a ferocious counterpart to the more reserved blacksmith.

Aes Sedai royal advisor Elaida do Avriny a'Roihan (Shohreh Aghdashloo) makes an even bigger impact as a series newcomer: Her ability to drip contempt with every sentence especially shines opposite her primary rival, Siuan Sanche (Sophie Okonedo), who projects authority with a mix of restraint and folksy wisdom.

The efforts to build up the Forsaken Moghedien (Laia Costa) as one of the biggest threats on the show are less successful. Lanfear (Natasha O'Keeffe) continues to be an excellent villain, attempting to control Rand through a mix of Machiavellian scheming and vamping. Compared to her, Moghedien is just an overtly weird psychopath. At least the smug regality of the Forsaken Rahvin (Nuno Lopes) feels like a better fit for the catty dynamic the show has established among the Chosen.

Showrunner Rafe Judkins has done a great job not only trimming excess characters and storylines but building on Jordan’s work as well. The attack on the White Tower by Liandrin Guirale (Kate Fleetwood) and the Black Ajah is only referenced in a few lines of the book The Dragon Reborn, but 34 years later, writer Justine Juel Gillmer and director Ciaran Donnelly have turned it into an epic battle that kicks off season 3 with a bang. The sword and sorcery combat looks great in the premiere, skillfully blending CGI and choreography, and that strength continues in the multiple big battles throughout the season. There are some issues with monsters created with practical effects for closeups looking much worse when moving, but overall the production value is high. Costuming is an especially strong point for the show, particularly the ornate outfits favored by the Aes Sedai.

Unlike Prime Video’s other fantasy epic, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, The Wheel of Time never relies fully on spectacle to carry an episode. Pathos is as likely to drive the conflicts as magic is, which makes any moment of sacrifice or loss all the more excruciating. Jordan killed relatively few of his characters, but the show’s writers have a significantly higher body count, which keeps things tense even for book readers who think they know where this story is going.

That tension is broken by some great comic relief. After the first two seasons were tarnished by the departure of Barney Harris, some of the shine has been restored by his replacement, Dónal Finn. His take on Mat Cauthon is a charming rake whose definition of “laying low” involves showing off a powerful magical artifact in a bar. And his tendency to turn everything into a joke makes it all the more meaningful when he asks for help. Princess Elayne Trakand (Ceara Coverney) is the season’s other major source of laughs: She steals the show in episode 6 with a hilariously bawdy musical number.

It all amounts to a season of Wheel of Time that leans into the concepts of reincarnation and cycles of conflict core to Jordan’s marriage of Western fantasy and Eastern mythology. Nowhere are those themes stronger than in the terrific “The Road to the Spear,” which allows Rand to live through the long shared history of the Aiel and the Tinkers and come to an understanding of just how much was lost in the Breaking of the World. It’s another showcase of Stradowski’s acting talent, the makeup and costume team, and the writers. The keen understanding of Jordan’s vision – and ability to bring it to the screen in a satisfying way – in this episode, and season 3 as a whole, makes me eager to see where things go next.

The Nintendo Switch 2 is set to get special enhanced versions of several Switch 1 games, including The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. A newly spotted disclaimer has fans worrying some games, or at least one game, won't support Nintendo's cloud save functionality as they'd hope.

Over the last day or so, users have been noticing that Nintendo's pages for Tears of the Kingdom's Switch 2 edition carries the following disclaimer: "Please note: this software does not support the Nintendo Switch Online paid membership’s Save Data Cloud backup feature."

Per ResetEra, the page for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - Switch 2 Edition also apparently carried this disclaimer at one point, as did Super Mario Party Jamboree - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV.

Though it's since disappeared from those pages, the Tears of the Kingdom still has the disclaimer as of this writing. The Japanese page though, per Eurogamer via machine translation, does not carry the same disclaimer; only the US and EU pages seem to be showing it.

IGN has reached out to Nintendo for clarification on the matter.

If this holds true, this could create some confusing scenarios for players. Nintendo's cloud save option for NSO members is handy, for one. It makes carrying games across systems, or juggling storage space for games without losing your saved progress, a little less stres-inducing.

Actually importing a save file from the original Switch to the Switch 2 Edition of Tears of the Kingdom does seem to still work. The Nintendo page noted an additional save slot for the Switch 2 Edition, where one can start a brand-new journey or "continue a previous one with your existing save data." Nintendo does note that save data created in the second save data slot cannot be trasnferred to the Nintendo Switch 1 version of Tears of the Kingdom.

It's a confusing situation that can possibly lead to some stress, as players would likely not want to lose a save file they've dumped many, many hours into when upgrading versions. Hopefully, this gets cleared up soon.

The Switch 2 Edition does have a few reasons for prospective Switch 2 owners to upgrade, including the Zelda Notes app, which comes packed with helpful guiding content, lore, and even some potential equipment repair options.

Eric is a freelance writer for IGN.

With so many great games coming down the pipeline, now's a great time to hop on the Xbox Game Pass bandwagon. If some titles joining the catalog this year have caught your eye and you're itching to join in on the fun, you can choose between one or three month Game Pass Ultimate membership options at Amazon. Unfortunately, there aren't any discount deals available at the moment, but we'll update this when a new one drops.

You can learn more about options for signing up, what's coming soon to Game Pass this month, and the big releases still to come below.

Navigate to:

• Best Xbox Game Pass Deals
• What's Coming Soon to Xbox Game Pass?
• What Games Are Leaving Xbox Game Pass?
• Biggest Games Releasing on Xbox Game Pass

Best Xbox Game Pass Deals

Amazon just discounted our favorite budget gaming chair. Right now, you can pick up a Corsair TC100 Relaxed gaming chair in Black Fabric for only $174 shipped after a 30% off instant discount. Even at its retail price of $250, this chair offers a ton of value for the price. I actually prefer fabric over leatherette because it's more breathable and less sticky.

Corsair TC100 Relaxed Gaming Chair for $174

In my opinion, the Amazon Kindle is one of the best electronic devices ever. Maybe the only piece of tech I use more than my Kindle is my phone, but even then, I have the Kindle app if I decide I just want to stick some knowledge into my craw. If you're on the hunt for a good deal on Kindle devices, there are quite a few on sale right now that are worth checking out.

At the moment our favorite deal is on the Kindle Scribe (32 GB). This has received a 19% discount at Amazon, dropping its price from $419.99 to $339.99 for a limited time. That's not all, though. You can also score three months of Kindle Unlimited for $0.99 right now. We've included those deals and a few more below.

The Best Kindle Deals Right Now

Kindle is one of the devices you're most likely to find on sale during Amazon events like Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday. The available Kindle lineup has expanded quite a lot over the years, too. Amazon will oftentimes sneak Kindle deals into its Deal of the Day or offer a bonus deal like free Kindle Unlimited or other Amazon services as well.

Kindle Unlimited Deal

If you own a Kindle, it's absolutely worth investing in Kindle Unlimited. Right now, when you sign up, you can get three months for $0.99 before its $11.99/month price kicks in.

But you may be wondering: what is Kindle Unlimited, and is it really worth it? The answer is... absolutely, dear reader. With this, you'll get unlimited access to millions of digital titles, audiobooks, and magazine subscriptions. That way you can read all of the latest bestsellers, classics, biggest hits, and more in the realm of books and comics. What better way to get started on your Kindle adventure?

New 2024 Kindle Releases

Amazon released quite a few brand-new Kindles in October 2024. Alongside upgraded versions of the standard Kindle, Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition, Kindle Kids, and Kindle Paperwhite Kids, they also revealed the brand-new Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition. This features a color display to make your favorite stories and comics pop. There's also a new Kindle Scribe with a redesigned display that's available now.

Current Kindle Bestsellers

Wondering where to start once you pick up your new Kindle? Have no fear, we're here to help with that, too. Below, we've listed out the current Kindle bestsellers so you can start up an exciting new book right away. Some of these titles can be read for free if you're a Prime member or as part of Kindle Unlimited, or they can be purchased if you'd like to own them.

• Bridesmaid by Chance by Meghan Quinn - Free with Kindle Unlimited, $5.99 to purchase
• Story of My Life by Lucy Score - Free with Kindle Unlimited, $5.99 to purchase
• Wildest Dreams by L.J. Shen - Free with Kindle Unlimited, $4.99 to purchase
• Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros - Free with Kindle Unlimited, $14.99 to purchase
• Enchantra by Kaylie Smith - Free with Kindle Unlimited, $4.99 to purchase
• Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros - Free with Kindle Unlimited, $14.99 to purchase
• The Boomerang by Robert Bailey - Preorder for $1.99
• The Perfect Divorce by Jeneva Rose - $8.99 to purchase
• Quicksilver by Callie Hart - Free with Kindle Unlimited, $9.99 to purchase
• Strangers in Time by David Baldacci - $14.99 to purchase

Best Kindle Book Deals

If you want to see the latest and greatest Kindle book deals available, there's an excellent variety to pick through. Whether you're looking for new comics to dig into or just want to sink into a thrilling novel, there's always great book deals available for Kindle users. We've listed just a few of our favorites below, but if you want to see the full list of available deals, head to Amazon's Kindle deals page here.

• Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros - $14.99
• Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir - $14.99
• Ultimate Black Panther Vol. 1: Peace And War - $3.99
• Star Wars: Darth Vader by Greg Pak Vol. 1: Dark Heart Of The Sith - $3.60
• Dark Ages (Dark Ages (2021-2022)) - $4.40

Why a Kindle Is Worth the Investment

I've been rocking the Kindle since the earliest model was available, and not only do I prefer it to any other method of reading, I've found myself reading more than I would have with traditional paper books. Not that there's anything wrong with reading from a traditional book, I just personally appreciate the ease of use and form factor afforded me by the Kindle.

Since the Kindles use e-ink instead of traditional screens like your phone or iPad, they can be read in just about any lighting. In fact, the pages look like actual paper pages, so any artificial light or even bright sunlight are no factor when using the Kindle. It only uses energy when you turn the page, use the backlight or leave Wi-Fi turned on, so if you go into Airplane mode you can go weeks, even months, between charging your Kindle. Generally I go long enough to completely forget where I put my charging cable.

Hannah Hoolihan is a freelance writer who works with the Guides and Commerce teams here at IGN.

With contributions from Seth Macy.

The latest trailer for The Fantastic Four: First Steps paints a better picture of a new Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) world and how Julia Garner’s Silver Surfer plays a part in it.

It’s a two-and-a-half-minute clip that reveals more about how Mister Fantastic (Pedro Pascal), the Invisible Woman (Vanessa Kirby), The Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), and Human Torch (Joseph Quinn) have helped build their universe into a shining utopia. In this world, Marvel’s First Family is celebrated as a (growing) squad of heroes who not only save the day but stand as examples for children and adults alike. However, it looks like their skills will be put to the test when Garner’s Silver Surfer descends from the sky to warn of an impending threat: Galactus.

Today’s trailer is notably more action-packed than the footage we’ve seen thus far. Ben Grimm can be seen barreling through pillars just as we get one of our first real looks at Reed Richards’ stretchy powers. These are new takes on classic powers the Fantastic Four has had for decades, and we’ll get to see a better look at how they’ll all work together this July.

It’s Garner’s Silver Surfer who is the real show stealer this time around, though. Despite only uttering a few words warning that this alternate Earth is now “marked for death,” this version of the Surfer seems especially powerful as she bats away the Human Torch and speeds through explosions. Sadly, we’re still being kept in the dark when it comes to Galactus’ full, updated MCU appearance, though we do get a shot of him stomping through the city upon his arrival.

Fantastic Four: First Steps premieres July 25, 2025. While we wait to see how the MCU will handle Marvel’s First Family, be sure to check out more on Thunderbolts* before it arrives in May. You can also see our list of every upcoming Marvel project here.

Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He's best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).

In the upcoming second season of Peacock’s Twisted Metal, the mysterious Calypso invites all the killers, vigilantes and joyriders of the Divided States of America to participate in a demolition derby tournament with the promise of making the winner’s greatest wish come true.

“Everybody's a villain this season because we're in a tournament,” Twisted Metal star Anthony Mackie told IGN earlier this week.

We spoke with Mackie, his co-star Stephanie Beatriz and showrunner Michael Jonathan Smith for our latest digital cover story, which reveals exclusive first-look photos from Season 2 as well as new plot details and cast members.

We can also exclusively announce that Twisted Metal: Season 2 premieres on Peacock on July 31, 2025.

Scroll through the gallery below for 11 exclusive photos from Twisted Metal: Season 2.

Dollface: John Doe’s Vigilante Sister Unmasked

“John, at the end of Season 1, gets his wish in a way. He wants community, he wants family, and he gets this realization at the end of Season 1 that he's actually from New San Francisco,” Smith explained. Mackie added, “That's the great thing about the new season, he's pretty much on top of the world. He's gotten everything he could ask for and he's realizing what's the truth of the New San Francisco life now.”

John’s literal and emotional journey in Season 2 is intertwined with that of Dollface (played by Tiana Okoye). It was revealed at the end last season that the amnesiac John has a sister, who is first seen wearing a doll face mask and in the company of a group of female vigilantes known as the Dolls. Season 2 reveals that her name is Krista and she’s the leader of the Dolls, who fight, Robin Hood-style, for the survival of the Outsiders against the Insiders.

“What's great is that Krista has sort of been on the outside and she's had a different experience than John,” said Smith. “Krista has seen the inequality between the Insiders and Outsiders, and she doesn't like it. She has decided to fight against it and really wants to find a balance between the Insiders and Outsiders.”

Marvel fans, rejoice! Captain America: Brave New World is releasing in physical format on 4K, Blu-ray, and as a sleek 4K steelbook. These are currently available to preorder at a variety of retailers for $29.96, $24.96, and $44.99, respectively. There's also a Blu-ray Walmart Exclusive O-Sleeve that's available to preorder for $32.96 and a Captain America four movie collection on Blu-ray that's up for preorder for $49.96. All of these release on May 13.

We've broken down each of these preorders below so you can find the best option for your physical media collection. We've also included a breakdown of the special features on the 4Ks and Blu-rays.

Preorder Captain America: Brave New World 4K Steelbook and Blu-ray

Preorder Captain America: Brave New World Walmart Exclusive O-Sleeve (Blu-Ray)

Captain America 4-Movie Collection (Blu-Ray)

Captain America: Brave New World Bonus Features

There are quite a few bonus features that fans will get to enjoy on the 4K and Blu-ray. We've included them all below:

• Deleted Scenes:
  • A Heartfelt Thanks – President Ross praises Agent Taylor for her actions.
  • The Mission – Sam Wilson tries to extract information out of Agent Taylor in the boxing ring.
  • Stick Around – President Ross extends an apology and an unexpected invitation to Isaiah.
• Assuming the Mantle – Ever since his high-flying debut in “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” audiences around the world have known that Sam Wilson was destined for great things. Join the cast and crew as they look at Sam's past, present, and potential future in the MCU.
• Old Scores, New Scars – Brave New World finds Captain America locked in a battle of brains and brawn in the forms of The Leader, Red Hulk, and Sidewinder. From prosthetics to visual effects to stunt work, get the lowdown on these formidable foes and how they're brought to life.
• Gag Reel – Enjoy some hilarious outtakes on set with the cast and crew of Captain America: Brave New World.
• Audio Commentary – Listen to Director Julius Onah and Director of Photography Kramer Morgenthau talk about the film.

See More Popular 4K Movies

Looking for more movies to add to your physical media collection? Check out our breakdown of upcoming 4K UHD and Blu-ray releases to see what's coming out over the next few months. This doesn't just cover movies, either. We've included some great TV shows releasing in a physical format soon, too.

Hannah Hoolihan is a freelancer who writes with the guides and commerce teams here at IGN.

Nintendo just wrapped up its April 2025 Mario Kart World Direct, revealing details about new items, modes, and more about those strange snacks players can chomp into when the Nintendo Switch 2 launches this June.

Nintendo’s latest entry into its long-running kart racing spinoff series looks like the next big step for Mario and co. That’s thanks in part to a smorgasbord of both new and returning items, while other familiar features have either been given small tweaks or total facelifts. Mario Kart World dived into a solid slice of everything players can expect in its 15-minute presentation, so we made sure to gather the highlights.

Items

The biggest question block hanging over everyone’s heads has had players questioning which wacky items they’ll be able to toss at their friends come June. Nintendo’s got a fittingly wacky answer that includes spins on items and abilities that may be able to be paired with some of Mario Kart World’s new features.

Items like the Bullet Bill and Lightning appear to function just as you remember. The former sends players flying forward at breakneck speeds, while the latter stops and shrinks opponents, though now it also causes it to start raining in the game now that Mario Kart has introduced weather effects. Meanwhile, classic items like the Feather also remain largely unchanged, but now, players can use them to not only hop over some of the many new track hazards but also reach new areas, high-up rails, and even shortcuts.

New items have plenty to bring to the table, too. The Coin Shell is a golden shell variant that leaves a trail of coins for you – and your enemies – as it moves forward through the track ahead of its thrower. Kamek is an especially wild addition, as the Koopa wizard can be spawned to transform each of your opponents into something completely new. Other highlights include Hammers that now stick in the ground for a short time and a slightly tweaked Ice Flower that can seen multiple opponents spinning at a time.

One of Mario Kart World’s more mysterious items are those new food-related abilities. These are called Dash Foods and come in the form of tasty burgers, plates of sushi, kebabs, and more. These are collectibles that can be acquired around Mario Kart World’s giant map and, once gobbled up, unlock new outfits to use elsewhere. In case you were wondering, yes, the Moo Moo Meadows Cow can, in fact, eat burgers.

New Tricks

Tricks have been an important part of Mario Kart since 2008’s Mario Kart Wii, and in Mario Kart World, they’ve been given added importance. You can charge jump straight from the track this time around, allowing you to not only short hop over items but fully clear hazards like other vehicles, too. It should help reach those out-of-reach rails to grind on as well, with additional tricks in the air giving players the ability to gain a bit of extra air.

Tricks will also help players leap toward and latch onto walls, which can be hopped between to find new portions of a track and even some hidden item blocks. Chaining tricks together can be tricky, so if you find yourself missing a particular jump to a high-up ledge, a new Rewind feature will help you turn back the clock for a few moments to hone your skills.

Modes

While modes like Grand Prix and Time Trials are back, Mario Kart World comes with loads of new modes, too. Knockout Tour is one of the more substantial additions, as it allows players to compete to stay ahead of the pack across extended races. Those who fall behind are in danger of being, well, knocked out.

Time Trials are one returning mode that have been beefed up to accommodate Mario Kart World’s improved multiplayer functionality. When hopping online, players will have the option to download data from other racers from around the world. Longtime Mario Kart fans will also be happy to know that fan-favorite modes like VS Race, Balloon Battle, and Coin Runners are back and feature some of those new tracks to fight off friends with. There’s also a full-on photo mode, which can be used to capture iconic moments when cruising around the world.

Of course, Mario Kart World’s biggest new mode is its open-world-inspired free roam feature, which allows players to explore its vast map and all of the tracks it houses. We explained everything you need to know about this major addition to the Mario Kart universe and how you can play it with your friends here.

Mario Kart World launches alongside the Switch 2 June 5. We’re still waiting for Nintendo to set a new date for pre-order options in the US and Canada following their delay earlier this month. Meanwhile, the topic of the console’s price remains one detail that continues to take over Nintendo comment sections. Today’s Mario Kart World Direct was no exception, as players made sure its chat sections were filled with comments like “drop the price.”

For more on Mario Kart World, you can read up on all of the new characters and tracks arriving this June. You can also see how players have been reacting to the title’s controversial $80 price tag and how Nintendo attempted to address it. Finally, for everything else announced during today’s Direct, you can click here.

Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He's best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).

Let’s be real: I don’t need another Pokémon card bundle. But the moment I saw the Charizard ex Super Premium Collection on sale, something in my brain short-circuited. My body? Fully ready for yet another unnecessary purchase. And at under $50, this box is stacked.

You’re getting a foil Charizard ex promo, plus matching Charmander and Charmeleon to complete the fiery trio. There’s even a Charizard display figure (because, of course, there is), and—get this—ten booster packs. Not five. Not six. Ten. That’s ten chances to pull something ridiculous.

Note: This review specifically covers the single-player campaigns of Tempest Rising. For thoughts on multiplayer, stand by until after launch.

It was only a matter of time before someone got tired of waiting for EA to announce a new Command & Conquer real-time strategy game without canceling it a few months later, and finally, Danish developer Slipgate Ironworks has become the one to take matters into its own hands. Tempest Rising plays like a C&C game with the serial number filed off, and it does a fairly good job of scratching the itch for this style of fast-paced action with two very traditional but well-made campaigns set to the tune of a familiar soundtrack partly composed by distinctive C&C composer Frank Klepacki. Given how closely it follows that template, though, it’s a little disappointing that it didn’t have more fun building personality and atmosphere between missions.

How closely, exactly? Aside from how it replicates the plate-spinning gameplay and basic tech tree (as many have done over the past 30 years), you could easily just change a few names – GDF to GDI and Tempest to Tiberium, for example – and Tempest Rising would be fairly indistinguishable from a C&C iteration as you’re harvesting resources, building a base, and cranking out infantry, tanks, and aircraft that die in seconds if you’re not paying close attention when they encounter the enemy. Some of the similarities are amusingly on the nose: The Nod-like Dynasty faction’s barracks structure is shaped like giant hands reaching up from the ground, and they didn’t bother changing the name of the Mobile Construction Vehicle (MCV) that expands into your base’s central Construction Yard building at all. So yes, it’s pretty close!

The campaigns’ story is treated in much the same lovingly derivative way, reframing the GDI/Nod conflict as between the good guy Global Defense Initiative Force and the paramilitary Dynasty faction fighting for territory in Europe and northern Africa, though here it’s set in the aftermath of a Cuban Missile Crisis where things went much worse than they did for us. You wouldn’t really know that it’s a post-World War 3 world, though, because other than some wrecked roads on the battlefields, the regional maps in the briefings look pretty normal, and none of the missions take place anywhere recognizable. But more importantly, it’s missing a few of C&C’s secret ingredients – chief among them a good villain.

So much of the personality of the classic C&C games came from the evil Nod faction and its mysteriously ageless leader, Kane (played with wild-eyed zeal by Joe Kucan). Granted, the Dynasty leaders who brief you before every mission have more character than the generic, gruff-voiced general of the GDF, but the constantly sneering Aleks can’t hold a candle to Kane. You can't build a cult of personality around a grumpy guy in a beret, and beyond being black leather fetishists, the Dynasty doesn’t have a lot going on ideologically – they’re not even explicitly framed as fascist bad guys out for global domination (especially when compared to the shadowy council pulling the GDF’s strings) so we don’t get any good mustache-twirling villain moments like attacking the Pentagon or Eiffel Tower. Without something like that to get invested in – and coupled with some instances of comically poor voice acting – I was unmotivated to sit through the multiple strings of optional dialogue that give you more bland background on the lore but nothing else.

In a day and age when anyone with a smartphone can replace their Zoom background with a high-tech command center or dark and ominous paramilitary headquarters, I’m sad Slipgate wasn’t granted the resources to do C&C-style live-action cutscenes and get someone to follow in Tim Curry’s legendary footsteps by chewing the virtual scenery to pieces. These generic animated characters just can’t compete, especially when there was clearly no budget to even match mouth movements to dialogue on most of them (conspicuously, both factions have lieutenants who give you orders through gas masks for no reason).

When it comes to actual real-time strategy, though, Tempest Rising fares much better. It may be playing within the constraints of a very defined genre and style, but it looks nice, runs well (it only crashed on me when loading a specific saved game), its interface is modern and friendly, and it’s pretty good at finding ways to be inventive with its faction design. Once you get past basic infantry, just about everything has a special ability or a twist to it that you’ll want to spend some time learning to use and decide if it’s worth your time to micromanage, as opposed to selecting everything and sending it into the attack-move meat grinder. There are too many to list, but the GDF’s heavy use of drone controller units is a fun one: you can control them independently to scout within a radius, you can pack their pilots into an APC or transport chopper and they'll still fly around and shoot, and if they’re destroyed they simply respawn for free in a few seconds. It's also a nice touch to generate resources for special abilities by taking the extra step of marking a target before destroying it – it's a good reward for a little bit of extra micro-management in small engagements.

I couldn't help but applaud when the GDF posed and then answered the question of what would happen if GDI’s Mammoth Tank and StarCraft 2’s Siege Tank loved each other very much; that's some excellent wish fulfillment for fans of both those series. These Trebuchet hybrids deploy and un-deploy so quickly – in about a second – that it really drives home how micromanagement-heavy Tempest Rising is built to be. You don’t need to constantly flip back and forth between mobile and stationary modes, but you’ll get more firepower and range out of them if you do.

On the opposing side, the Dynasty’s Scrap Truck is a wildly powerful unit that automatically repairs every vehicle or building in a radius while it’s stationary, and it can deploy to become a turret structure with an even bigger repair range. You can then use that to expand your base building area and stock it with flame and missile turrets (Dynasty can build a structure in advance and then instantly place it, while GDF places structures and then builds them), quickly creating a vehicle repair outpost with self-healing defenses right on the enemy’s doorstep. That, combined with their ultra-long-range Porcupine missile trucks and deadly SAM launchers, makes Dynasty a fantastic offensive turtling faction. And when you want to get a bit more aggressive, they can literally roll out a giant metal ball that flattens any tanks or infantry in its path if they can’t destroy it first.

All in all, the variety of missions once you get past the first few tutorials is respectable but expected, including a lot of base-cracking, defense holdouts and last stands, and commando missions led by powerful specialist infantry, and all of them come with optional objectives for you to cross off that might encourage replays. It's interesting that some of those objectives don’t even pop up unless you scout out the whole map – it's a reason to go back and replay, but if you're trying to do everything in one go it might be a little trollish. All of these missions are well done but again, quite conventional; there’s nothing here that thinks radically outside the box or effectively builds minigame modes around unit abilities the way StarCraft 2 did. They are a good time to smash through, but very few stand out.

Like nearly every RTS campaign ever made, Tempest Rising gradually gives you access to new units and airstrike support abilities as you go, but here you also choose a new global upgrade every mission from one of three linear trees – plus you can unlock and then mix-and-match upgrades to fill an expanding number of slots. Some of the upgrades are minor but useful, such as adding burn damage over time to Dynasty’s flamethrowers or stat bonuses that start units out with a veterancy level. Some feel a little exploitative, like one that increases infantry vision range by 50% (which makes them incredibly effective spotters for artillery). A few, though, are meaningful choices that I’d definitely think hard about if I were to play through again on a higher difficulty. The biggest of these for me was the “Stolen Plans” abilities that let you build some of the opposing factions’ vehicles without having to capture their buildings. Some of those, like the Trebuchet tank and Porcupine missile launcher truck, are game-changers that helped me break through tough defensive lines quickly. It’s true that leaning on these can homogenize the campaigns a bit rather than emphasizing what makes each faction unique, but I appreciate being able to customize my force. Also, the ability to re-pack the Dynasty Scrap Truck after deploying it was a huge upgrade that saved me from having to build a whole fleet of them.

It’s not spoiling anything that isn’t on the Steam page to say that late in both the campaigns, which follow the same events from opposite perspectives, the story abruptly introduces a third, technologically advanced faction tied to the glowing resource they’re all fighting over – which is a sentence I could’ve copied directly from the Wikipedia page of Command & Conquer 3. The alien (ish?) Veti don’t have a playable campaign and aren't yet available in skirmish or multiplayer, so it's a bit tricky to understand how they work differently, but it’s good that they’re here for variety’s sake. Fighting their heavier armies isn’t dramatically different from taking on the GDF or Dynasty in the campaign – they have similar base and defense structures, tanks, aircraft, and infantry – but they do have a few terrifying late-game units that GDF and Dynasty can’t go toe-to-toe with and required me to take an entirely different posture when one showed up.

Nintendo hosted a Mario Kart World Direct this morning, showing off all the features of the upcoming launch game for the Nintendo Switch 2. Amid all the new tricks and modes, Nintendo also confirmed a slew of new and returning tracks and racers for Mario Kart World.

On the course side, there were several new courses shown off as part of the roamable world. From the streets of Crown City to the water of Salty Salty Speedway, there are plenty of places to explore and shortcuts to discover. Mechanics like wall-riding and grinding seem like they'll add quite a bit for players to uncover. Here's what we spotted in today's Direct.

Mario Kart World Confirmed Courses Shown in Today's Direct

• Mario Bros. Circuit
• Crown City
• Salty Salty Speedway
• Starview Peak
• Boo Cinema
• Toad's Factory
• Peach Beach
• Wario Shipyard
• Whistletop Summit
• DK Spaceport
• Desert Hills
• Shy Guy Bazaar
• Wario Stadium
• Airship Fortress
• DK Pass
• Sky-High Sundae
• Koopa Troopa Beach
• Faraway Oasis
• Crown City
• Peach Stadium
• Dino Dino Jungle
• Great ? Block Ruins
• Rainbow Road

But what's a world full of courses without a universe's worth of racers to speed across them? Mario Kart World looks to be making some deep pulls from Mario's history. The usual suspects of Mario, Peach, Luigi, and Yoshi are joined by the likes of Spike, Conkdor, Penguin, and more. Here's everyone we spotted in a kart during today's Mario Kart World Direct.

Mario Kart World Confirmed Racers From Today's Direct

• Mario
• Luigi
• Peach
• Daisy
• Rosalina
• Pauline
• Yoshi
• Toad
• Koopa Troopa
• Baby Mario
• Baby Luigi
• Baby Peach
• Baby Daisy
• Baby Rosalina
• Wario
• Waluigi
• Bowser
• Goomba
• Spike
• Cow
• Lakitu
• Toadette
• Bowser Jr.
• Birdo
• King Boo
• Shy Guy
• Donkey Kong
• Nabbit
• Pirahna Plant
• Hammer Bro
• Monty Mole
• Sidestepper
• Cheep Cheep
• Dry Bones
• Wiggler
• Cataquack
• Pianta
• Rocky Wrench
• Conkdor
• Chargin' Chuck
• Penguin
• Stingby
• Swoop
• Dolphin
• Para-Biddybud
• Pokey
• Coin Coffer
• Peepa
• Snowman
• Fish Bone

It's quite a line-up so far, and will probably only expand as we learn more about this game. Today's Mario Kart World Direct went over everything from Grand Prix and Knockout Mode to the camera-fueled social options.

Mario Kart World is set to arrive on the Nintendo Switch 2's launch day, June 5, as an exclusive for the newest Switch console. There certainly seems to be quite a bit to do here, which will hopefully measure up to its $80 price tag. The newest Kart is being sold both standalone and as part of a hardware bundle though, and given Mario Kart 8 Deluxe's massive popularity, World is likely to find a home on many Switch 2 consoles.

You can catch up on everything announced at today's Direct right here.

Eric is a freelance writer for IGN.

During today's Mario Kart World Direct, we finally got more details on the game's brand new Free Roam mode, including a bit about how multiplayer it will be (very) and what you'll be doing while driving around Mario Kart World's...well, world.

Though we went hands on with Mario Kart World last week, we didn't really get a proper look at Free Roam mode or what it entailed until today. Free Roam is a new feature to Mario Kart World, where you're literally able to go anywhere on the game's big, Forza Horizon-like world map. Unlike past Mario Kart games which have their race tracks separated out and only enterable when you're racing, Mario Kart World scatters them across an open world, meaning you can drive from track to track in certain game modes and goof off in the spaces between.

When you're not racing, Free Roam mode is a way to essentially have a little adventure. The world contains all sorts of hidden collectible goodies, like coins and ? panels, though we're not sure just yet what collecting those actually does. There are also P-Switches scattered around, which can be hit to activate a small challenge such as collecting some blue coins.

Additionally, Free Roam mode allows you to activate a Photo Mode any time to take photos of your racers in various poses and angles. And Free Roam isn't just a solo mode, either. You and your friends can drive around together in Free Roam, take photos, complete challenges, or just hang out. Free Roam supports up to four players roaming together on the same system via split screen, or up to eight total via local wireless play (two per system).

We saw a number of other details about Mario Kart World today in the Mario Kart World Direct, including new characters, courses, and modes. You can catch up on everything announced right here.

Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. You can find her posting on BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.

Nintendo shared with us a Mario Kart World Direct and it revealed much more about the launch title for the Nintendo Switch, including new details on characters, courses, races, secrets, and so much more.

This roundup has gathered everything you need to know about this Mario Kart World Direct and we hope it will help with the wait until this much-anticipated game launches alongside the Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5, 2025.

Courses

Mario Kart World will feature a ton of new and old courses on its interconnected map, and we were introduced to a few of them today, including Mario Bros. Circuit, Crown City, Salty Salty Speedway, Starview Peak, Boo Cinema, Toad's Factory, Peach Beach, and Wario Shipyard.

What should be most exciting for returning Mario Kart players is that the older courses have been "reimagined to feel at-home within this vast, new world, offering fresh experiences on classics."

Characters and New Techniques

Considering up to 24 racers can compete in one race, Mario Kart World will need a lot of characters to ensure everyone doesn't play the same one. While there are sure to be more added and revealed, this Direct featured such characters as Mario, Luigi, Peach, Daisy, Yoshi, Baby Peach, Baby Daisy, Baby Rosalina, Rosalina, Koopa, Rocky Wrench, Conkdor, Goomba, Spike, Cow, King Boo, Bowser, Donkey Kong, Waluigi, Baby Mario, Baby Luigi, Birdo, Bowser Jr., Lakitu, Toad, Wario, Pauline, Toadette, Shy Guy, Nabbit, Piranha Plant, Hammer Bro, Monty Mole, Dry Bones, Wiggler, Cataquack, Pianta, Sidestepper, and Cheep Cheep.

Driving with these characters will be even more fun this time around as there are new techniques to utilize. Charge Jump gives racers a chance to dodge enemy attacks, reach higher places and rails that can be grinded on, and even jump towards a wall to ride on it for a short time.

One of the most exciting new additions is Rewind, as it will let players try again to reach a hidden path or take a turn better or whatever! However, it is important to note that rivals will still move normally if you rewind so you could find yourself in even more trouble if you aren't careful.

Races - Grand Prix and Knockout Tour

There are two main modes in Mario Kart World - Grand Prix and Knockout Tour. Grand Prix will be the mode fans are used to as players will need to compete in multiple races to win the Mushroom Cup, Flower Cup, Flower Cup, and more. However, this time around players will drive from course to course instead of exiting out to a menu, which should make for a much more seamless experience thanks to Mario Kart World's more open structure.

If you happen to conquer all of the Grand Prix Cups, a certain "colorful course" may appear which sure sounds like Rainbow Road. It won't be easy though, as there will be new obstacles like cars that shoot bullet bills and Hammer Bros. that throw their namesake hammers!

Knockout Tour is a battle-royale-esque mode where you have to race from one side of Mario Kart World's map to the other. The only catch is you have to be in a certain place at each checkpoint or you will be knocked out of the race. The winner will be the last driver standing in the Golden Rally, Ice Rally, and more.

Mario Kart World Free Roam

In Mario Kart World's Free Roam mode, players will be able to drive wherever they'd like without the worry of trying to be in first place. As you explore, you will discover things like P Switches (hundreds of them!) that will activate blue coins you'll need to collect and start missions. These missions will be challenges that will improve your skills outside of races.

There will also be hidden coins like Peach Medallions, hidden panels, and much more. Oh, and there is a photo mode in Free Roam that will be available to always capture that perfect moment.

Visiting Yoshi's restaurant will also be a joy as you can pick up "Dash Food" that will give you a boost of speed and an outfit inspired by your meal! Some examples shown were a cheeseburger, sushi, skewers, chips, roasted meat, pizza, ice cream, and more.

Playing Mario Kart World with Friends

Playing Mario Kart World with friends will undoubtedly be one of the best ways to play this racing game, and Nintendo is giving players a ton of options in how they can do that. Such options include having four players play on one system, local wireless play with up to eight players (two systems of four), and up to 24 players from around the world playing in Online Play.

Another big feature in Mario Kart World is allowing players to free roam with their friends in between races. Players will be able to see where their friends are on the map and fast travel to them for some fun. You can then battle or race with custom rules or just explore the map with them. Photo Mode will also be available for friends!

GameChat will also be an integral part of Mario Kart World as players will be able to talk to their friends and even see their reactions live on video for those who have a comptabile camera. If all players are on a single system, the camera can even detect up to four faces.

Modes

Alongside the modes we mentioned above, players will be able to jump into Time Trials, where there will also be an option to go online and race against ghost data of others around the world. VS Mode is next and it offers a ton of customization, including the option to compete with up to four different teams of racers.

Battle Mode is back as well, and it includes such coompetitions as Coin Runners and Balloon Battle.

Items

While there will be familiar items returning to Mario Kart like Bullet Bill and Lightning, there will also be some new additions like the Coin Shell that can knock rivals off course and provide a trail of coins for players to collect. There will also be an Ice Flower to freeze enemies, Hammers to attack enemies and block their paths, a Mega Mushroom that will grow players to monstrous heights, a Feather that will let players jump to avoid attacks, and even a Kamek item that will call in the classic character to transform players into something mysterious.

Support Features

Mario Kart World is aiming to be a game for players of all skill levels, and to reach that goal Nintendo is including some support features to help like Smart Steering, Tilt Controls (Joy-Con 2 wheel compatible!), Auto-Use Item, Auto-Accelerate, and the ability to adjust both the Vertical and Horizontal Camera.

For more, check out our hands-on preview of Mario Kart World, how Nintendo is justifying its $80 price tag, and our big Nintendo Switch 2 interview with Nintendo's Bill Trinen to learn more about the console.

Adam Bankhurst is a writer for IGN. You can follow him on X/Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on TikTok.

Netflix has released the first trailer for The Sandman Season 2, revealing plans to bring Dream’s story to an end with a two-volume release this July.

The streaming giant spelled out its schedule for the dark fantasy universe alongside the second and final season’s debut trailer today. It’s a one-minute look at the follow-up batch of episodes that includes a few teases for how The Sandman will quickly wrap up its story with just one more season. Volume 1, which includes six episodes, is currently scheduled to premiere July 3, 2025, with Volume 2’s remaining five episodes set to arrive three weeks later come July 24.

Netflix shared an official description for the series’ final season: “After a fateful reunion with his family, Dream of the Endless (Tom Sturridge) must face one impossible decision after another as he attempts to save himself, his kingdom, and the waking world from the epic fallout of his past misdeeds. To make amends, Dream must confront longtime friends and foes, gods, monsters, and mortals. But the path to forgiveness is full of unexpected twists and turns, and true absolution may cost Dream everything.”

The Sandman Season 2 will turn the page for the graphic novel adaptation following multiple sexual assault allegations against creator Neil Gaiman in July 2024. After claims from multiple women emerged as part of a Tortoise Media podcast series, the author offered to step back from his work on Amazon Prime Video’s Good Omens. That series, another Gaiman adaptation, was later confirmed to end with Season 3, which will be comprised of just one slightly longer episode. A musical adaptation of Coraline was also canceled in the wake of the allegations.

It's unclear how the controversy has impacted production on The Sandman. Although Dream’s live-action story was only just confirmed to end with Season 2 this past January, showrunner Allan Heinberg told Variety that the plan to produce just one more season dates as far back as 2022. Gaiman remains attached as an executive producer for the Netflix project.

The Sandman Season 2 will cover the remainder of its story when it premieres all 11 of its episodes throughout July. For more, you can read up on the many, many cast additions the series has picked up in the last year. Our 9/10 Season 1 review can be found here.

Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He's best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).

Some spoilers follow for Daredevil: Born Again Season 1.

There’s a moment in Daredevil: Born Again’s third episode where White Tiger (the late Kamar de los Reyes) suits up and walks the streets of Manhattan, patrolling as only a street vigilante in the world of superheroes can do. He’s got his magic amulet, his black-striped white costume, and his appetite for righting the wrongs of the city, no matter the cost. No flying, no uru hammers, no gamma powers. He’s just a dude doing the right thing.

And while White Tiger is killed in cold blood in that very same scene, his death only serves to prove the point that a street-level crusader like him is ultimately more hero than super. There he is, doing what he’s got to do, to the bitter end.

The season 3 finale of The Wheel of Time has some great moments, though it feels rushed and scattered at times as it both ties up plots and foreshadows what’s to come in season 4. “He Who Comes with the Dawn” further demonstrates that the show is willing to pull the rug out from under book readers with surprising changes to the source material, even as it embraces some of the weirder aspects of Robert Jordan’s worldbuilding.

Case in point, when season 2 skipped Rand and Lanfear’s trip to another world, I assumed that meant the series wasn’t going to get into dimension-hopping. But the finale opens on a flashback of Elaida visiting the wish-granting Finn and coming back with a charm bracelet and a promise that she would become the Amyrlin Seat. She’s smug about the warning that their gifts always have a price, and it’s unclear if hers was waiting 10 years to get what she wanted or the odd tremors she’s been having.

By going back in time a decade, we see just how tenuous Siuan Sanche’s control of the White Tower has always been, and how long Elaida’s resentment has been building. It also shows just how far the Aes Sedai have fallen as they go from a contentious but orderly election to a violent coup where Siuan’s allies are deceived so she can be stilled and killed. There are certainly still Black Ajah in Tar Valon, but declaring Siuan a Darkfriend is an obvious pretense by those who want the power of the White Tower and the Dragon Reborn for themselves.

I was excited as soon as I heard that Shohreh Aghdashloo was cast as Elaida, and she absolutely shines in the role, drawing on the same ability to project superiority and look absolutely fabulous in garish outfits that made her such a standout in The Expanse. She makes a fantastic foil to Sophie Okonedo, who brought such a sense of hardship and loss to Siuan’s toughness. After so much foreshadowing that Moiraine would die, it caught me entirely by surprise that Siuan is killed instead – the Amyrlin sticks around until the Last Battle in the books. That makes me even more convinced that Loial actually died closing the Waygate last week.

Moiraine and Lanfear agreeing that Sammael should become Rand’s teacher shows their shared ruthlessness – as well as the devotion to the Dragon Reborn that drives them to try to kill each other this episode. Rand training with a Forsaken is in the books, and keeping that plot could have built on the excellent scenes Rand had with the False Dragon Logain last season. Iinstead, Sammael is quickly murdered by Moghedien. The Wheel of Time has done so much to build the Spider up, but the one-dimensional psychopath just doesn’t interest me. I’m not looking forward to more scenes between her and my other least favorite character, Liandrin, as the two team up to take on the other Chosen.

Rand is doing better than I might have thought given the end of “The Shadow in the Night,” fulfilling his promise to harvest Alsera’s squash and then teaming up with all his allies to lay a trap for Lanfear. The way the dream scene shifts from twisted flirtation to outright hostility provides a perfect transition for Rand’s relationship with his Forsaken lover. His visions in Rhuidean and conversations with Egwene have finally allowed him to grasp what a monster she is.

That knowledge also gives Rand a newfound appreciation for Moiraine, who in turn has come to realize that Rand can sometimes make good decisions on his own. Their conversation is perhaps the most honest Moiraine has ever been, with her composure just barely cracking as she sees her life’s work finally bearing real fruit. It’s particularly moving considering she expects she’s going to give her life in one more attempt to protect the Dragon Reborn.

Lanfear has many plots in motion that she uses for her counterattack. Melindhra had felt like an unnecessary addition to this season until this week, when the Malkieri provides another example of how the Dark One preys on desperation. Her decision to put Lan’s life before her own soul is something that Lanfear couldn’t predict because she has no loyalty to anyone but herself. That oversight gives Moiraine a key edge in their fight.

That battle is excellent and brutal, displaying the real power of an Aes Sedai and a blademaster warder. Ciaran Donnelly has directed most of The Wheel of Time’s biggest battle episodes and shines again here, skillfully interweaving Moiraine and Lan’s fight with Lanfear with Rand’s attempts to win over the Aiel and Siuan’s final speech to the White Tower. As a result, we get to see multiple fronts in the fight to prepare the Dragon Reborn to face the Dark One, with Siuan’s death balanced by the victories in the Aiel Wastes.

“He Who Comes with the Dawn” blends moments that could be found in Dune, Game of Thrones and Pan’s Labyrinth, which is true to Jordan’s work even if the quick transitions between them didn’t always feel coherent. Just one example: Mat accidentally entering the realm of the Eelfinn after stepping into a ter'angreal. The complexities of The Wheel of Time’s world are in full view as he stumbles his way into making three wishes and barely survives his encounter with the foxman creature.

Considering the writers have gotten into the business of killing characters early, I was really worried for Thom Merrilin as he prepared to sacrifice himself after giving Elayne a bunch of very important information about Lord Gaebril. Luckily Elayne stepped up and saved him with a blast of balefire. This is the first time the extremely dangerous weapon has been used on the show, and it looks phenomenal – just one of many seeds laid in this episode that should bear fruit next season.

Image Comics just revealed This Ends Tonight, a revenge thriller that borrows liberally from the Quentin Tarantino playbook. As if that weren't incentive enough to check out the new series, it also features a reunion of the Seven Sons creative team, including superstar artist Jae Lee.

IGN can exclusively debut the first artwork for This Ends Tonight. Get a closer look in the slideshow gallery below:

The creative team on This Ends Tonight includes writers Gerry Duggan, Kelvin Mao, and Robert Windom, artist Jae Lee, and colorist June Chung.

This Ends Tonight unfolds over three interconnected issues, each set on the same night in Las Vegas. The first issue features two sisters locked in a Thelma & Louise-style team-up as they shed blood in the City That Never Sleeps.

“This Ends Tonight began as so many great creator-owned comics do—with friends hanging out and dreaming out loud about what would be cool to see in a comic. What would be cool to see Jae Lee draw and June Chung color,” said Duggan in a statement. “It was my privilege to get to have fun with the Seven Sons team, and I'm thrilled to collaborate on a comic that once again proves there's no better team working in comics than Jae & June.”

Duggan added, “This series takes three separate high-octane action stories and collides them together in Las Vegas. The city usually sees about 250 murders a year. I think we can top that in our one-night stand in the city of sin. We've been threatening you with this good time for a while, and now it's time to roll them bones... and bodies.”

This Ends Tonight #1 will be released on July 16, 2025.

In other comic book news, Mike Mignola is returning to the Hellboy universe this summer, and we chatted with the creative team behind Spider-Man & Wolverine.

Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on BlueSky.

Civilization 7 introduces a few massive changes to the series, most notably the Ages mechanic that has you swap out your civilization for a new one as the game progresses through Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern Ages. Your choice of leader, though, sticks with you throughout the entire game.

While they don’t provide as many traits and units as Civilizations, Leaders still have powerful abilities that can create some excellent combinations when mixed and matched. To help you out, we’ve created this tier list of every Leader and highlighted their strengths and weaknesses. This should help you choose who you want to be the face of your empire as you build your future all the way into the Modern Age.

Civilization 7 Leader Tier List

S-Tier - Confucius, Xerxes King of Kings, Ashoka World Conquerer, Augustus

A-Tier - Ashoka World Renouncer, Benjamin Franklin, Charlemagne, Harriet Tubman, Hatshepsut, Himiko High Shaman, Isabella, Jose Rizal, Machiavelli, Trung Trac, Xerxes The Achaemenid

B-Tier - Amina, Catherine The Great, Friedrich Oblique, Ibn Battuta, Lafayette, Napoleon Emperor, Napoleon Revolution, Tecumseh, Himiko Queen of Wa

C-Tier - Friedrich Baroque, Pachacuti

S-Tier Leaders

S-Tier: Ashoka, World Conquerer

• +1 Production for every 5 excess Happiness in Cities.
• +10% Production in Settlements not founded by you.
• Declaring a Formal War grants a Celebration. +5 Combat Strength against Districts for all Units during a Celebration.

Ashoka, World Conquerer is all about keeping your own citizens happy while terrorizing other civilizations. Happiness is a very strong yield, and as long as you can keep a strong flow of excess Happiness, you will get continual benefits. Settlements not founded by you and excess Happiness result in extra Production meaning you can make a lot of Units and maintain a strong base to fuel your war efforts. Also, declaring a Formal War grants you an automatic Celebration. This gives you an instant +5 Combat Strength against Districts and All Units. This makes you excellent at putting your enemy on the back foot immediately once a war is declared.

With all the excess Happiness, you can likely get one or two extra Celebrations during a war, so you go through periods of extreme military power. The only thing to manage is, as you take over Settlements from your fellow civs, dealing with the unrest they bring. However, if you can manage that and keep everyone happy, Ashoka, World Conquerer is one of the strongest leaders in the game.

S-Tier: Augustus

• +2 Production in the Capital for every Town. Can purchase Culture Buildings in Towns.
• +50% Gold towards purchasing Buildings in Towns.

Augustus gets a lot of benefits from a relatively straightforward style of play. He is all about going wide with his Settlements and establishing as many Towns as possible, be that through settling or conquest. Interestingly though, his value comes in not upgrading Towns to City. That saves him Gold, but he gets a nice bonus to Gold and Production for maintaining as many Towns as possible.

He can turn his Capital into a powerhouse, with all of his towns feeding his central base. On top of he can buy buildings cheaper in Towns, and has access to buying Culture buildings. This can really add up, both giving him immense amounts of Production and Culture, but also saving him money along the way. It’s a nicely rounded style of play with great benefits and an easy-to-understand goal. Just get out there and settle lots of Towns - or take them by force.

S-Tier: Confucius

• +25% Growth Rate in Cities.
• +2 Science from Specialists.

Confucius is a master when it comes to expanding his Cities. The natural +25% Growth Rate in Cities is just powerful, especially early on when land-grabbing is important. You can expand your borders much faster than your opponents, absorbing key Resources before they can. And you can do it without the pain of going to war.

He also has ease becoming one of the best producers of Science in the game thanks to getting +2 Science from Specialists. This can make him particularly potent, especially in the end game where his Specilasits stack up, and he has access to much more advanced Technology than other civilizations. He may need a little help defending his lands, so a strong Civilization pairing, or making a powerful ally can go far. Outside of that though, there’s not a lot that’s going to stop Confucius from gobbling up all the land he can, all while being one of the most technologically advanced.

S-Tier: Xerxes, King of Kings

• +3 Combat Strength for Units that are attacking in neutral or enemy territory.
• Gain 100 Culture and Gold per Age upon capturing a Settlement for the first time. +10% Gold in all Settlements, increased even further in Settlements not founded by you.
• +1 Settlement limit per Age.

Xerxes, King of Kings is as straightforward as it gets. He has one specialty - attacking other players and taking their Settlements. It’s not complicated or highbrowed, but it is undoubtedly effective, especially if you are looking for a Military Victory.

He benefits from being the aggressor in every situation, getting free combat strength, that doesn’t require anything to activate past initiating fights in foreign territory. He’s also incentivized to take over as many Settlements as his limits will allow, though he even gets a higher Settlement limit. For doing so, not only is he advancing the Military Legacy Path, he gains Culture and Gold further fueling his military aims.

A-Tier Leaders

A-Tier: Ashoka, World Renouncer

• +1 Food in Cities for every 5 excess Happiness.
• +10% Food in all Settlements during Celebration.
• All buildings gain a +1 Happiness adjacency for all Improvements.

While not as militarily spooky as the World Conquerer version of Ashoka, the World Renouncer is certainly nothing to sniff at. While the other version is about turning Happiness into military might, this version of Ashoka is all about turning Happiness into population.

This changes the play from trying to take over as many Settlements with your units, into going for a land grab and establishing Districts. This can be excellent in the right hands, especially those who know how to manage big populations and city construction. You can also bypass the unrest of taking over Settlements, so there is an argument the World Renouncer is as strong or even stronger. That said, it requires a little more finesse and doesn’t receive the powerful production bonuses. Either way though, as long as your population is happy, your borders should be expanding if you choose to go the World Renouncer route.

A-Tier: Benjamin Franklin

• +1 Science per Age on Production Buildings in CIties.
• +50% Production towards constructing Production Buildings.
• +1 Science per Age active Endeavors you started or supported.
• Can have two Endeavors of the same type active at a time.

Benjamin Franklin is an exceptional and versatile Leader if you intend to go down the Science route in your game. What’s nice is his specialties are in Science and Production, meaning not only can you research a lot of Technology quickly, but you can then make the product of your labor soon after too.

His traits create a nice feedback loop around Production Buildings where constructing Production Buildings can be done fast, and he then gets extra Science for each one. He also benefits from having good relations with those around him, and can further his Science generation by entering into Endeavors.

A-Tier: Charlemagne

• Military and Science Buildings receive a Happiness adjacency for Quarters. Gain 2 free Cavalry Units, once unlocked, when entering a Celebration.
• +5 Combat Strength for Cavalry Units during a Celebration.

Military and Science are always a powerful combination, allowing you to be on the cutting edge of new warfare Technologies, and then pressing that advantage. Charlemagne is encouraged to push for Military and Science buildings to help prop up some powerful Happiness traits.

As long as he can keep his population happy, he can continually enter Celebrations, which in turn gives him free Cavalry Units. While that’s going on too, these already strong early and mid-game units gain even more strength. It’s a very horse-centric strategy, but stampeding over your fellow Civilizations is a very strong tactic in the early parts of the game. While he may struggle more in the Modern Age once the likes of Tanks and Planes are introduced, he should be established with a very strong empire by then.

A-Tier: Harriet Tubman

• +100% Influence towards Initiating Espionage Actions.
• Gain 5 War Support on all wars declared against you.
• Units ignore movement penalties from Vegetation.

Harriet Tubman is undoubtedly one of the stealthiest choices in Civilization 7. Influence can be a powerful yield, and Harriet can wield it perhaps most powerfully of all. She can cause some real trouble for other Civilizations by messing with them through means of Espionage, allowing you to disrupt or steal advantages from others.

Even if you get caught and anger a powerful force, the 5 War Support you get when a war is declared against you is an enormous drain on them, that should allow you to grind out a victory. On top of that, her armies are nimble, and able to ignore vegetation, making her hard to pin down, tricksy, and a pain to deal with when she’s defending.

A-Tier: Hatshepsut

• +1 Culture for every imported Resource.
• +15% Production towards the construction of Buildings and Wonders in Cities adjacent to Navigable Rivers.

Hatshepsut can get access to really strong spikes in Culture. It benefits her to have good relationships and establish Trade Routes for imported Resources. She gets +1 Culture for each one, so every time she enters into a trade with another civilization, it gives her a nice boost of Culture.

She’s also one of the very best at producing Wonders, but also, Buildings in general. This makes her very strong in the early Culture Legacy Paths. While she needs to be utilizing a Navigable River, most cities should be on one anyway, so this is not a difficult requirement to satisfy.

A-Tier: Himiko, High Shaman

• +2 Happiness per Age on Happiness Buildings.
• +50% Production towards constructing Happiness Buildings.
• +20% Culture but -10% Science, and these effects are doubled while in a Celebration.

Himiko is perhaps the best producer of Culture in Civilization 7. Her traits are very powerful, and the mixture it has with Happiness is a potent one. Constructing Happiness Buildings is fast thanks to the production bonus, and the Happiness Buildings only get stronger with age. She also gets a ridiculous +20% passive boost to Culture, which doubles during Celebrations, further feeding into Happiness.

However, it comes with drawbacks. She also has a -10% passive to Science, which also doubles during a celebration. This will require you to be aware of your handicap and work around it. That said, as long as you either utilize Endeavors or compensate for the Science loss with Buildings and resources, these potential peaks of Culture boosts far outweigh the negative Science nerf.

A-Tier: Isabella

• Gain 300 Gold every time you discover a Natural Wonder, doubled if the Natural Wonder is in Distant Lands.
• +100% additional tile yields from Natural Wonders.
• +50% Gold towards purchasing Naval Units, and -1 Gold maintenance cost for Naval Units.

Isabella can absolutely catapult herself early on if she can find a Natural Wonder. Especially in the Antiquity Age, if found early enough, 300 Gold is a massive boon. This allows her to buy units or buildings that should put her quite a bit ahead if done at the right time. If she is able to incorporate the Natural Wonder into her borders too, she will get massive tile Yields, making it again, very powerful the earlier you can do it.

That said, this of course is dependent on your finding and securing the Natural Wonders. She can fall victim to unlucky map placement. If there’s no nearby Natural Wonder early on, then she’s not going to be getting many benefits. That said, no matter what, she should have a strong Navy, by buying water-based Units and maintaining them with no problem.

A-Tier: Jose Rizal

• When gaining rewards from Narrative Events, gain an additional 20 Culture and Gold per Age.
• Has additional Narrative Events.
• +50% Celebration duration.
• +50% Happiness towards Celebrations.

Jose Rizal is a master of Celebrations. The 50% Celebration Duration and +50% Happiness towards Celebrations tandem is very strong. This can help him make massive gains with powerful Celebration effects, especially if he moves in the direction of Culture. He will have Celebrations often and have them active for longer. That’s excellent.

He also gets nice boosts of Culture and Gold for the Narrative Events he participates in and thankfully they happen more frequently to him than over civs. While these likely won’t sway a game on their own, they are a nice garnish on the Celebration synergy available to him.

A-Tier: Machiavelli

• +3 influence per Age.
• Gains 50 Gold per Age when your Diplomatic Action proposals are accepted or 100 Gold when they are rejected.
• Ignore Relationship requirements for declaring Formal Wars.
• Can Levy Military Units from City-States you are not Suzerin of.

Machiavelli is a great option for those who like to get positively devious. He has a powerful synergy of Influence and Gold that makes him a threat at all times. While he may not be on the offensive every second, his ability to ignore Relationship Requirements to declare wars means even allies aren’t safe from a stab in the back.

Even his apparent power level can be deceptive, as thanks to his ability to gain a lot of Gold from Diplomatic Actions made with his Influence, he can buy meaningful military force quickly. On top of that, he has the very powerful ability to levy units from City-States he isn’t Suzerain of. He’s not best at taking on strong armies and has to be considered in his actions, but he excels at a smash-and-grab playstyle, even at the expense of his friends.

A-Tier: Trung Trac

• Gain 3 free Levels on your first Army Commander.
• +20% Commander experience.
• +10% Science in Cities in Tropical Spaces. This bonus is doubled while in a Formal War you declare.

Trung Trac is the master of utilizing the powerful new Army Commander units. These units let you command multiple units at once while providing them with powerful bonuses. While they aren’t necessarily the strongest to begin with, the more levels they get, the more of a deciding factor they become. Trung Trac not only gets 20% Commander Experience, but her Commanders spawn with three free levels. This can make for some pretty sizeable spikes in military power that can influence wars. If her Commanders get really powerful and get multiple Commendations too, her armies will be some of the most powerful on the map.

She also gets a nice boost to Science on Tropical Spaces, a whopping 20% boostwhen at war, supercharging the formidable Science and Military combo. That said, it’s map-dependent, as she will need access to those Tropical tiles.

A-Tier: Xerxes, The Achaemenid

• +1 Trade Route limit with all other leaders.
• +50 Culture and 100 Gold per Age when you create a Trade Route or Road.
• +1 Culture and Gold per Age on Unique Buildings and Unique Improvements.

Xerxes, The Achaemenid has access to a nice variety of yields and benefits. The 100 Gold and 50 Culture he gets from creating Trade Routes and Roads are excellent and can provide you with massive spikes of both if you set up multiple around the same time. Considering he gets access to one extra Trade Route too for each Leader, there is a nice synergy here.

That’s only helped by his buff to Culture and Gold on Unique Buildings and Improvements. Make no mistake, this is a massive amount of both, and when utilized properly, it’s very, very strong.

B-Tier Leaders

B-Tier: Amina

• +1 Resource Capacity in Cities.
• +1 Gold per Age for each Resource assigned to Cities.
• +5 Combat Strength on all Units in Plains or Desert.

Amina is definitely a decent Leader who does well with Resources. Resources are powerful in Civilization 7, so having access to more is not a bad thing. While the +1 capacity is nice to have, the +1 Gold per Age for each Resource assigned to Cities is an excellent Gold generator.

Of course, you will need to get access to as many Resources as possible while housing them too, so that is where your game plan should be focused. Her Units getting a +5 Combat Strength on all Units in Plains or Desert is a bit situational, but it could come in clutch in the right circumstances.

B-Tier: Catherine the Great

• +2 Culture per Age on displayed Great Works. Building with Great Works slot gain 1 additional slot.
• Cities settled in Tundra gain Science equal to a percentage of their Culture per turn.

Catherine the Great is generally a great producer of Culture. Displaying Great Works is a part of the Culture Legacy Path, so her getting access to extra slots to display them can be useful when trying to run through that as fast as possible. The Culture boost for doing so will also feed more Great Works, making a nice feedback loop.

That said, she can be a little situational. Her cities being on Tundra do make for excellent Science output in tandem with her Culture generation. That said, if you can’t settle on Tundras or their barrenness ends up hurting you in terms of resources, she can be a little trickier to utilize.

B-Tier: Friedrich, Oblique

• Army Commanders start with the Merit Commendation, granting them additional Command Radius.
• Gain an Infantry Unit when you construct a Science Building.

The Oblique version of Friedrich is likely his better option, though he’s still far from the best in the game. That isn’t to say he isn’t without merit though. Army Commanders are strong Units and the Merit Commendations provide the most powerful effects among them. Starting with one of those is a good way to boost your army's power early on. The additional Command Radius is as powerful as any buffs and debuffs, allowing you to affect more Units.

He also can get an Infantry Unit when constructing a Science Building, which is a nice incentive to put your Gold and Production into those. That said, he has no access to Science, Influence, or Culture buffs. Even for a scientific-focused Civilization, he can end up hurting his viability a bit as he will likely lag behind other specialists.

B-Tier: Ibn Battuta

• Gain 2 Wildcard Attribute Points after the first Civic in every Age.
• +1 Sight for all Units.
• Gain a unique Endeavor called Trade Maps that allows you to gradually see other Leaders’ Explored area.

Ibn Battuta could become a powerful Civilization if played correctly, though he is so versatile, his strengths may not be apparent to those not sure how to utilize Attribute Points. Getting 2 of these after the first Civic in each Age means that he is flexible, and can spec himself into the situation he finds himself in. That said, with that flexibility comes more choice and complexity that might be a little unwieldy for new players.

Likewise, his visibility of the map granted from stealing other Explored areas and the extra sight from units is something that can be powerful in experienced hands. However that value might not be apparent to those less versed in how to make use of that information. He brings a lot to the table and is very flexible. Just be sure you know how to utilize that.

B-Tier: Lafayette

• Gain a unique Endeavor called Reform, which grants an additional Social Policy slot. Supporting this Endeavor also grants the other leader an additional Social Policy Slot.
• +1 Combat Strength for every Tradition, but not Policy, slotted into Government.
• +1 Culture and Happiness per Age in Settlements, doubled in Distant Lands.

Lafayette has access to some nice traits, though they aren’t the most eye-catching in isolation. Him being able to use Reform to get additional Social Policy Slots is nice, and can help provide yield boosts. The +1 Combat Strength he gets from Traditions too is nothing to sniff at. That said, even with yield-focused policies, he may struggle to keep up with more specialised Leaders.

The +1 to Culture and Happiness per Age, which is doubled in Distant Lands, is a completely unconditional buff though. That’s nice to have. This all comes together to make him a good Civilization, with a nice selection of good traits, though nothing here is entirely compelling here on its own.

B-Tier: Napoleon, Emperor

• Gain a unique Sanction called Continental System that reduces the Trade Route limit of the targeted Leader to all other Leaders. Causes massive Relationship penalty, and costs more to reject.
• +8 Gold per Age for every Leader you are Unfriendly or Hostile with.
• Can reject endeavors for Free.

Napoleon, Emperor is for those who like being a bit of a brat. He gets benefits from being a troll, gaining a very good +8 Gold for every Leader he is Unfriendly or Hostile with. That can be a lot if he’s annoying everyone. His Continental System Sanction messes with other civilizations’ ability to trade, making it an excellent option to tick off his neighbors.

The difficulty comes in managing that dislike. This means it will be very hard to enter into Endeavors, or even keep Open Borders with those around you. Of course, it will also paint an enormous target on your back. Since he provides no buffs to his Units militarily, that’s a dangerous game. So, if you’re going to be a jerk to everyone, make sure you have the army to back it up just in case the consequences of your actions catch up to you.

B-Tier: Napoleon, Revolutionary

• +1 Movement for all Land Units.
• Defending an enemy unit provides Culture equal to 50% percent of its Combat Strength.

Napoleon, Revolutionary is an interesting Leader. All of his land units get +1 movement which is helpful when trying to both traverse large areas, as well as being nimble when maneuvering around enemy units.

However, how you utilize his other trait is likely going to be what decides if you do well with him or not. Culture equal to 50% of enemy Combat Strength when defending can be very spikey, giving you a lot of Culture if you find yourself defending multiple times per turn. However, to make the best of this, you need to find yourself in this position relatively often. That means you’re going to want to be provoking enemies, but holding your ground. It’s a pretty unique playstyle and may be a bit awkward for some. But if used well, it could be a big source of Culture. Just expect to be putting other resources into maintaining your army as you continually take hits.

B-Tier: Tecumseh

• +1 Food and Production per Age in Settlements for every City-State you are Suzerain of.
• +1 Combat Strength for all your Units for every City-State you are Suzerin of.

Tecumseh has the potential to be very good, but it will need time and setup. He is all about becoming the Suzerain of City-States. If you can rack up three or four of these, that’s a significant bonus to Food and Production, as well as Combat Strength.

The issue is that becoming a Suzerain takes a lot of Influence and he doesn’t have an inherent trait that helps. So he will need a good pairing with a Civilization, Policy, and Buildings/Districts to facilitate this. On top of that, it will just take time for you to get the Influence you need and convince these states they should come under your wing. However, if you have the infrastructure for it, the rewards can be pure and consistent value.

B-Tier: Himiko, Queen of Wa

• Gain a unique Endeavor called Friend of Wei that can be performed in an Alliance to grant you and your ally +25% Science.
• +4 Science per Age for every Leader you are Friendly or Helpful with.
• Can support Endeavors for free.

Himiko, Queen of Wa is the opposite of Napoleon, Emperor. She is all about being everyone’s best friend, and if you can maintain that, you will reap enormous benefits. The +4 Science per Age for every Leader you’re Friendly or Helpful with is only helped by the Friend of Wei Endeavor. Multiply that by several allies, and that’s serious Science production.

However, you do have to be a little careful with it too. Make sure being nice to everyone doesn’t come at the cost of your defensive military. Your Technological advances and sunny demeanor may make others jealous, so don’t get caught out thinking everyone is your friend. That can go out the window quickly when they want what you have.

C-Tier Leaders

C-Tier: Friedrich, Baroque

• Gain a Great Work when you capture a Settlement for the first time.
• Gain an Infantry Unit when you construct a Culture Building.

Friedrich, Baroque has two traits and neither is particularly strong or distinct. Gaining a Great Work for capturing a Settlement for the first time is decent, but is unlikely to outright help you win games. In a field of very strong Leader traits, this feels merely ‘fine’.

Gaining an Infantry Unit when building a Culture Building is also useful, and can help fuel your military ambitions, but it’s not exactly going to make up for having no yield bonuses here. There are just many stronger options when it comes to Culture and your Military.

C-Tier: Pachacuti

• All Buildings gain a +1 Food adjacency bonus for Mountains.
• Specialists adjacent to Mountains do not cost Happiness maintenance

Pachacuti is not a bad Leader. In fact, in some games, he can be exceptional. The problem is, he can also do next to nothing if the map hasn’t favored you. To excel, you need Mountains. If he can settle near them, then he will get good access to a good amount of Food and have little drawback from Specialists. That can be really good, especially when paired with Civilizations that utilize Mountains too.

The problem is, that’s a strict requirement. Without Mountains, he provides little else, so if you spawn on a map with none around you, you’re out of luck. Of course, you can start over, or move the map sliders in your favor before picking him, but if you want a neutral experience where you start and play on a normal map, know you’re rolling the dice when you start.

Patrick is a a freelance journalist with over 13 years of experience who loves going deep on games and getting into their systems. His four-figure hours into both Overwatch 2 and Destiny 2 are a testament to that.

I want to say I have self-control, but when Amazon drops prices on Pokémon cards and limited edition gear, my budget takes the hit. These deals hit that magical combo of actually useful and just tempting enough to justify with "well, it is on sale.

Pokémon TCG, DOOM Xbox Controller, and a Last of Us Vinyl Set

I think today’s lineup is especially worth a look. There’s a Charizard box packed with collectibles, a DOOM Xbox controller that looks like it could double as a weapon, and a Last of Us vinyl set that might just make you cry on your living room floor. Been there.

Pokémon TCG Charizard ex Super Premium Collection

Xbox Wireless Controller – DOOM: The Dark Ages LE

The Last of Us 10th Anniversary Vinyl Box Set - 4LP

Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet — Journey Together Elite Trainer Box

Return to Metroidvania Game Bundle

Pokémon TCG - Scarlet & Violet: Journey Together Sleeved Booster

Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet — Journey Together Booster Bundle

Pokémon TCG Scarlet & Violet: 151 Booster Bundle

Pokemon TCG Surging Sparks Sleeved Booster Pack

The Last of Us - Joel With Hatchet Bust

Pokemon TCG: Azure Legends Tin

Dice & Destiny Game Bundle

Pokémon TCG - Scarlet & Violet: Journey Together Sleeved Booster

Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet — Journey Together Elite Trainer Box

Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet — Journey Together Booster Bundle

Pokémon TCG - Scarlet & Violet: Journey Together - Sleeved Booster

Train Sim world 5 Route Remix Bundle

Lepro O1 AI Floor Lamp

Lepro B2 AI Smart Light Bulbs

Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet - Surging Sparks

Pokémon TCG: Iono’s Bellibolt ex Premium Collection

Mass Effect Merchandise

Pokémon TCG: Scarlet and Violet: Paldean Fates: Booster Bundle

Fellow Traveller Publisher Bundle

Pokémon TCG: Scarlet and Violet Shrouded Fable Elite Trainer Box

Pokémon TCG: Terapagos ex Ultra-Premium Collection

Pokémon TCG: Shining Fates Collection Pikachu V Box

The Pokémon range of Squishmallows makes for some of the best franchise plushies around, and Amazon has made them better by letting you buy certain 14-inch ultra-soft Pocket Monsters for as low as $6.06, in a price cut on certain ones.

That lowest price tag in particular is for Marill, arguably the best bargain among the bunch due to the Gen-2 Water-type's popularity. Originally, $17.49, that is a huge 65% saving before taking taxes plus shipping & handling, into account.

The next best is for Bellibolt, the EleFrog Pokemon, who is now available to buy and squeeze for only $8.47, after having 66% taken off its original $24.99 price tag. Then, there's the Pokemon Scarlet & Violet players' favourite Fire-type starter, Fuecoco—also on sale for $9.23 after having 63% taken away. For the Kanto purists, the 14-inch Clefairy can now be bought for only $10.13 after a 59% reduction.

An important thing to keep in mind is that Amazon has seemed to have made it very hard to find these deals when you're browsing directly, with some plushies' lower product pages only appearing with very particular searches. With that, we'd recommend clicking through our dedicated catalogue above so you can go to each page directly, buy quickly, and save without none of the fuss.

If you're still after the generally best Squishmallows in the entire Pokemon range—like Gengar and Snorlax—most seem to be available to still buy on Amazon as well. Some have even had a price cut as well, but only $4 at the most, compared to the other four above.

Still, they're worth the investment if you want some squeezable and comfortable cushions added to your living space with some Pokemon flair.

Around 50% of the Marill, Fuecoco, and Clefairy Squishmallows have already been claimed at the time of writing. As more become aware of these massive offers, grab yours quickly before you lose out on this very limited-time deal.

Ben Williams – IGN freelance contributor with over 10 years of experience covering gaming, tech, film, TV, and anime. Follow him on Twitter/X @BenLevelTen.

The Easter season of savings is in full swing, and I've found a banger line-up of game bargains across every major platform. Whether you're building out your backlog or chasing a couple of cult favourites you missed at launch, there’s never been a better time to snag some digital delights. Get scrolling to get saving!

This Day in Gaming 🎂

In retro news, I'm celebrating the 17th bday of Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2, the first game I ever reviewed for IGN AU! I'm all about its co-op PvE mode, called Terrorist Hunt, that my mates and I sank about a hundred hours into. Whether you do it via two-player split or 4P over Xbox Live, the concept is simple: survive a butt-clenching, one-shot-one-kill onslaught against thirty AI scumbags. I still play this on my XSX and it remains an absolute (flash)banger.

• Super Mario RPG (-20%) - A$64
• Crash Team Racing NF (-23%) - A$53
• Sonic x Shadow Gen. (-39%) - A$49
• Disco Elysium - The Final Cut (-70%) - A$18
• Matchbox Driving Adventures (-35%) - A$39
• Portal: Companion Col. (-75%) - A$6
• Expeditions: A MudRunner Game (-42%) - A$49

Expiring Recent Deals

• Hogwarts Legacy (-46%) - A$49
• EA Sports FC 25 (-62%) - A$34
• Animal Crossing: New Horizons (-33%) - A$53
• Paper Mario: Thousand-Year Door (-33%) - A$53
• Superliminal (-60%) - A$10
• Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope (-75%) - A$19

Or gift a Nintendo eShop Card.

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Pulsar made a great impression with the Xboard QS, which featured expansive physical customization and a build quality strong enough to be classified as a weapon. Along with some of my favorite mechanical switches, Pulsar proved to be a real player in the boutique (and expensive) keyboard space. The PCMK 2 HE, however, takes on a different design philosophy with a lighter, slimmer build and makes the move to magnetic switches to stand among some of the best gaming keyboards recently released. It costs a pretty penny at a base price of $160, especially considering its wired-only connectivity limits versatility, but everything else around it is fantastic and shows that Pulsar isn’t just a one-hit wonder.

Pulsar PCMK 2 HE – Design and Features

The PCMK 2 HE rocks a simple design, and it’s a clean and attractive aesthetic with the black and white color scheme that contrasts really well. The QWER, ASDF, Escape, and Enter keys come in the opposite color of the rest of the keycaps (depending on which primary color you choose to buy), and the backlit Pulsar logo above the arrow keys shines brightly. That logo is also a magnetic tab that you can remove, and even get customized for a little extra. The legend on it indicates whether or not Caps Lock, Scroll Lock, or Game Mode is active via the backlighting as well.

The exposed keycaps on the aluminum top plate lets them pop and the RGB backlighting flow nicely across the board. These double-shot PBT keycaps don’t have transparent lettering so the lighting doesn’t help with visibility, but there’s a decent brightness that helps the customizable colors still jump out. The dampeners and foam layer make up the rest of the keyboard, however, the keystrokes aren’t exactly soft or quiet. I’m fine with it since the keys have a light and bouncy feel that works well for gaming and long-term typing, although it does sound more “clacky” than most other magnetic keyboards. The bottom is encased in a transparent plastic so it’s not a fully aluminum chassis and doesn’t feel quite as sturdy as it could have been, but the see-through look is pretty sweet.

Pulsar collaborated with Gateron for its magnetic switches, which have a really smooth linear feel – at just 30g +/- 7 on the initial actuation force, it’s one of the lightest switches I’ve used. In moving to magnetic Hall Effect switches, it affords the keyboard another layer customization that you just can’t get from mechanical keyboards. Popular manufacturers like Logitech and Razer are jumping onto it now, and Pulsar is up there with the big names not just with how well the switches themselves perform, but because of how easy it is to get the most out of them.

Pulsar PCMK 2 HE – Software and Customization

As with other boutique-style keyboard makers, Pulsar uses a web-based configurator instead of a downloadable software suite to customize the keyboard’s settings. It’s called Bibimbap and makes tweaking things a breeze, similar to what Keychron offers as I saw with the K4 HE that I also reviewed. You just go to the Pulsar software URL (it’ll say “download” but it doesn’t actually download a client) and select the keyboard from the Connect menu. From there, you can mess with things like the customizable actuation point, RGB lighting profile, key assignments, macros, and much more.

Almost every feature included is configurable on a per-key basis, and while RGB isn’t going to necessarily shine through the keycaps, the degree to which you tweak the color spectrum, effects, and indicator lights on the magnetic tab is extensive. Having adjustable actuation points, thanks to the magnetic switches, comes in clutch as well, and that’s simply done in the Performance tab in the software – it can be as short as 0.1mm or as deep as 4.0mm and anywhere in between in 0.1mm increments.

Because this is a magnetic keyboard with features like Rapid Trigger and Quick Tap, I do need to address the ever-present elephant in the room. Quick Tap, being the name for SOCD (simultaneous opposite cardinal direction) input in this case, is a contentious feature that allows immediate input recognition even with the opposing direction still being held. In a shooter, holding A to strafe left while tapping D to strafe right without letting go of A creates a jiggle-strafing movement that is physically impossible otherwise. And this technique makes you an extremely tough target to hit. While every magnetic keyboard has some form of SOCD now, it doesn’t mean you’re safe to use it – you will get kicked from Counter-Strike 2 matches, for example, so be mindful of that. Rapid Trigger isn’t as problematic, it just recognizes any upward movement as a reset point, making repeated tapping faster.

Looking to upgrade your mouse, too?

Check out our roundup of the best gaming mice out now!

Despite not being as physically sophisticated as the Xboard QS, there is still some onboard customization you can do with the PCMK 2 HE, like swapping out the switches. If you want to change things up and ditch the Gateron x Pulsar magnetic switches, you can do that easily so long as you’re putting in N-Pole or S-Pole switches.

Pulsar PCMK 2 HE – Performance

To cut to the chase, gaming performance on the PCMK 2 HE is stellar. That’s largely due to the super-light touch to the Gateron x Pulsar magnetic switches and the adjustable actuation points. Even without using Quick Tap, my skill ceiling in Counter-Strike 2 is a bit higher on account of being able to do quicker keystrokes and have those inputs recognized switfly. While I love the K4 HE that I mentioned earlier, I give the slight edge for gaming to something like the PCMK 2 HE since its switches make these kinds of techniques easier to execute for competitive scenarios. Whether I'm quick-strafing to peak corners, switching weapons on a dime, or crouch-jumping through a window, the PCMK 2 HE let me pull these moves off effortlessly.

While I like having a super short actuation point for a competitive shooter, setting my keys to a deeper point works wonders for making sure I don't accidently set off the wrong action in my attack rotation for Final Fantasy XIV. As someone who spent hours-on-end raiding, I definitely felt my fingers wearing out the longer the raid went on, too, and the switches on the PCMK 2 HE helps mitigate that kind of exhaustion by virtue of the light actuation force. It's those sorts of capabilities that may seem minor on paper, but make noticeable differences in practice.

While much of these perks are due to the magnetic switches, the keyboard is a pleasure to use even if it's louder than most of its contemporaries. That bounciness I mentioned earlier feels great when I'm typing all throughout the work day, making for a comfortable experience outside of gaming.

It’s worth noting that the PCMK 2 HE features a 8000Hz polling rate, which I’ve talked about extensively as it pertains to high-end gaming mice. With regards to keyboards, the benefits are much more limited, and I would go as far to say negligible. Where the continuous and miniscule movements of a mouse swipe come out smoother with a high polling rate, the binary nature of keyboard inputs just don't really need that. If anything, it's to give you piece of mind that you're getting the best performance that's technically possible (but let's be real, putting 8,000Hz polling rate on a box is also a marketing move).

In case building your own rig is too much work right now or simply not a priority for you, you can always opt for one of the best prebuilt gaming PCs. You'll miss out on the satisfaction of building your PC from the ground up, but all that time you saved skipping research, having to wait for components to arrive, building your machine, and inevitably problem-solving when something goes awry can be spent actually playing PC games.

The half-baked prebuilt systems of yesteryear are no more, cutting far fewer corners for a long-lasting gaming PC that can take on all the action you throw its way. With the latest and greatest graphics cards and processors becoming pricier than ever, you may even save money by opting for something from Alienware, MSI, or HP. Plus, most options are easy enough to open up to upgrade components down the road, including our favorite gaming PC, the Legion Tower 7i.

TL;DR – These Are the Best Gaming PCs:

Buying a gaming PC is a bit more involved than a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X/S. You’ll need to determine the types of games you want to play and how you want to play them – even the best budget gaming PCs won’t be running Cyberpunk 2077 at the highest settings. Finding the proper processors, storage, memory, cooling, and other hardware and ensuring all the components work well together can make or break the rig. Luckily, many manufacturers take care of a good chunk of that guesswork so you don’t bottleneck the system.

Whether you're looking for something more affordable for indie games, want a compact option to save space in your studio apartment, or are after a top-tier rig to tackle the action in 4K, we’ve got you covered. One of the five pre-built gaming PCs we’ve selected will align perfectly with your needs.

Contributions by Danielle Abraham and Georgie Peru

Looking for additional savings? Check out the best gaming PC deals happening right now.

The State of Gaming PCs in 2025

Right now, we're in the middle of the next generation of PC hardware launching. Nvidia and AMD have released their respective new graphics cards, and we're still hot on the heels of the AMD Ryzen 9950X3D and 9800X3D. While we haven't had the chance to review any prebuilt gaming PCs with the new hardware – yet, at least – there are a couple things to keep in mind.

Most gaming PCs on this list have since been updated to support the new graphics cards, and even if they weren't, that doesn't mean they're not worth buying anymore. Because while the RTX 5080 is an extremely powerful graphics card, it's really just a few percentage points ahead of the RTX 4080 Super. So, if you can catch a deal on an RTX 4080 Super gaming PC, you should jump on it – all you're missing out on is multi-frame generation and an extra 10fps in some games.

Gaming PCs also remain one of the best ways to get your hands on one of the new graphics cards, too. PC manufacturers usually pay bulk prices for graphics cards, so you can usually get a full system for just a bit more than the standalone graphics card costs right now. While this sucks for anyone who just wants to upgrade their PC with a new GPU, its actually great for people who don't already have a PC to slot a graphics card into.

1. Lenovo Legion Tower 7i

Best Gaming PC

2. HP Omen 45L

Best Current-Gen PC

3. iBuyPower Trace 7 Mesh Gaming Desktop

Best Budget Gaming PC

4. Asus ROG NUC

Best Mini Gaming PC

How to Choose a Gaming PC

Prebuilts are the most surefire way of getting into gaming and arguably the most cost-effective hardware you can buy. With a system, you’re not only getting the hardware inside, but time savings of having to track down the best processor to best RAM for your system and putting it all together yourself and praying it actually boots up correctly.

That said, just like building your own PC you want to make sure you’re spending your money where it’s needed most. Firstly, you should prioritize getting the graphics card you need for the gaming monitor or the gaming TV you’re gaming on. There’s no need for anything better than an Nvidia RTX 5060 Ti if you’re just playing games on a 1080p display.

Likewise, you should only need an Intel Core i5 or Ryzen 5 processor with at least four cores to play most modern games comfortably at any resolution.

System memory and solid-state drives can be the biggest money sink for any system. Those comfortable with upgrading their system after it arrives should choose a configuration with the smallest storage and RAM capacities possible, as buying these components yourself can often be more cost-effective.

If that last suggestion resonates, perhaps a barebones system is what you seek. Those can be much cheaper since they come with all the major hardware – such as the CPU, GPU, and power supply – installed, but they usually lack storage, memory, and an operating system as a trade-off.

Lastly, if you want more control over what exactly is going into your build, go with a boutique PC builder. Origin, Maingear, DigitalStorm, Falcon Northwest, PC Specialist, and many more companies offer excellent PC building services that let you pick exactly which components go into your gaming PC. From there, they build your system with the sort of cable management some can only dream of while ensuring it all works properly out of the box.

In case this all sounds a little overwhelming to you, NZXT has its own PC building service called BLD. Instead of picking every part that will go into your PC, you chose the games you’ll actually play and the service gives you several configuration options that will be able to run the games for a smooth experience.

Similarly, iBuyPower offers an Easy Builder service that operates in very much the same fashion. Users can select games that they play from a small pool that includes Fortnite, GTA V, Apex Legends, WoW, League of Legends, Overwatch, and Battlefield V. From there, users can select whether they play at a 1080p or 1440p resolution, as well as their budget, and the system will spit back a few configurations to choose from.

Prebuilt PCs also come with several features and pieces of software you might find convenient. Many gaming PCs in this category come with some sort of overclocking support and even a one-click button to boost your system's performance. Of course, it's easy enough to download a piece of overclocking software like MSI Afterburner or EVGA Precision X. Additionally, your machine may come with system monitoring software that makes downloading and updating drivers a breeze.

Gaming PC FAQ

Should you buy a gaming PC or a gaming laptop?

Unless you’re looking for an all-in-one portable package, a gaming PC is usually better than even the best gaming laptops. With a desktop, it’s much easier and less expensive to upgrade parts, and they tend to last longer before going obsolete. For more on gaming PCs vs. gaming laptops, check out our guide.

Is it easy to upgrade your prebuilt gaming PC?

It depends. Most PC manufacturers have figured out users absolutely hate proprietary parts. While you might still find no-name motherboards installed into the heart of your PC, they should all at least fall in line with the standard size and layout of Mini ITX or Micro ATX motherboards. The best gaming PCs should allow you to easily swap out the CPU, GPU, RAM, and storage on your system with just a few simple tools or just a screwdriver.

Better yet, systems that tout tool-less upgradability don't require you to undo screws or anything to replace any of the major components. One of the things you'll likely find on most modern chassis are thumbscrews, which can be removed after a few quick twists with your fingers rather than a screwdriver. Additionally, tool-less SSD and hard drive caddies make expanding and replacing your storage just a little bit easier.

Should you buy a gaming PC or a console?

When comparing a gaming PC vs. console, there appear to be more similarities than differences these days, but one still comes out on top: the gaming PC.

Not every aspect of a gaming PC beats consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Consoles are much easier to use. You’ll also find that even the most expensive consoles are cheap compared to a quality gaming PC with a good graphics card, although there are good budget GPUs. There are some great handheld gaming PCs and mini PCs that are more affordable, but they’re better for indie games or older cross-platform console titles.

Where a gaming PC pulls ahead is in its gaming library, peripherals, upgradeability, and overall performance. There’s no denying that there are a massive amount of PC games, and of course, a gaming PC has cross-platform compatibility with popular console titles. Beyond gaming keyboards and gaming mice, you’ll find a wealth of other peripherals, from racing wheels to controllers, that all work seamlessly with a PC. You can also enjoy better visuals and a higher performance ceiling, and it’s easy to upgrade components. That makes a well-equipped PC the clear winner.

Can you find a good gaming PC for under $1,000?

Yes, it’s absolutely possible to find a great gaming PC for under $1,000. You just need to manage your expectations. Less powerful hardware will usually come in these ultra budget-friendly desktops, meaning gaming performance is more limited. Even still, you should have no problem running many of your favorite games in 1080p or sometimes even 1440p at respectable frame rates. Your PC may struggle during more graphically intensive games running at their top settings, but the savings you enjoy might be worth the trade-off.

Should you build your own gaming PC?

Building your own gaming PC has many benefits. First and foremost, you get to customize your PC to your own specifications, including only the components you want and need. Rather than purchasing a prebuilt desktop that may not be tailored to your requirements, you can select all of the individual parts that make up a gaming PC.

However, you will need some knowledge of how to build PCs, or at least be able to closely follow an in-depth YouTube video. This is where things get a little tricky. If you’ve never built a custom gaming PC before, you will need to do some research. From understanding how each component interacts with each other, to how to hold a stick of RAM or a CPU so you don’t damage it, there’s quite a large learning curve.

If you do decide to build your own gaming PC, you will likely find that you can save some money over the long run compared to buying a prebuilt machine. Choosing your own parts means you can keep an eye on sales and offers to get the best deal possible.

But building a gaming PC isn’t for everyone. If you aren’t rigid on the specifics and don’t have a particular build in mind, it can be less troublesome to let someone else do it for you. You also get the added reassurance that the PC will be professionally built, and there’s no chance your warranty can be void.

After you've scored an awesome gaming PC, be sure to grab the best gaming accessories for the ultimate PC battle station.

Jacqueline Thomas is the Hardware and Buying Guides Editor at IGN. When she's not helping her friends and family buy computers, you can usually find her tinkering with her own PC.

Image Credit: Annalee Tsujino is a multi-disciplinary designer and illustrator. Check them out on Instagram @antsu_illustrations.

Season 7 of Netflix's Black Mirror arrived last week, bringing with it the usual dose of dark sci-fi cautionary tales... with some hopeful fantasy mixed in as well. But it's one episode in particular, "Bête Noire," which has had some Black Mirror fans questioning, well, reality.

Some spoilers follow for Black Mirror's "Bête Noire"!

In the episode, a character named Maria (Siena Kelly) works in R&D for a food company, designing new recipes in what seems like a pretty great gig. But when a troubled classmate (Rosy McEwen) from her past shows up out of the blue and takes a job at the company, Maria finds herself in an increasingly desperate situation. It seems that the classmate, Verity, has the ability to simply alter reality by the force of her will. And nobody seems to realize this strange fact except for Maria.

That takes us to the fun/scary moment in the episode where a workplace conversation turns to what the name of an old fast food restaurant chain was. Some say it was Barnies while others say it was Bernies. Maria is certain she knows the answer because her husband used to work there and still has the hat! But when she googles it to prove that she's correct... the search results say otherwise. Is it The Mandela Effect or... The Verity Effect?

With this scene, Black Mirror seems to be switching reality on its viewers a bit as well because there are reportedly two different versions of the episode available on Netflix, and which one you get when streaming the show appears to be random.

As reported by Games Radar, fans have realized that in one version of the scene, Bernies was the original name of the restaurant, while in the other version the OG name is Barnies. Watch both versions of the scene here:

We've reached out to Netflix to ask about this matter, but haven't heard back. That said, the Netflix and Black Mirror X accounts seem to be having some fun with the whole thing:

barnies https://t.co/TaS4MzrXam

— Black Mirror (@blackmirror) April 11, 2025

And by the way, the main character in the Season 3 episode "Shut Up and Dance" worked at... Barnies. But we're not sure which reality he lived in, so that doesn't really solve anything here anyway.

Mass Effect is one of the most beloved RPG series of all time, with many fascinated by the characters, locations, and secrets hidden throughout its universe. If you're a huge fan of the games looking for more, Fanatical just relased a new bundle featuring 11 different Mass Effect graphic novels and art books. You can score almost $140 worth of items for just $8.99 with this bundle.

Mass Effect Comics & Art Book Bundle Available Now at Fanatical

Kelley Heyer, a TikTok influencer and creator of a viral dance to Charli XCX's song "Apple", is suing Roblox, alleging it used the "Apple Dance" in the game and profited off her work without her permission.

If you're not exactly up on the hip trends of the youth, the "Apple Dance" is exactly what it says on the tin: a catchy dance conceived by Heyer and shared via TikTok to Charli XCX's song "Apple". The dance has become incredibly popular, to the point of being shouted out in Charli XCX's tour and shared on Charli XCX's TikTok.

So it's unsurprising that Roblox wanted the Apple Dance as part of a collaboration between Charli XCX and one of the most popular games within Roblox: creative fashion contest game Dress to Impress. Spotted by Polygon, the lawsuit in question was filed last week in California, in which Heyer claims that originally, Robox did contact her to license the Apple Dance for the crossover event. Heyer says that she was open to the idea of the dance being licensed if the terms were right - she even licensed it to Fortnite and Netflix via actual, signed agreements - but never reached an actual agreement with Roblox.

Heyer alleges that Robox released the Apple Dance emote for sale in the event before negotiations were ever completed and without Heyer giving her consent for its use. Heyer says that Roblox sold over 60,000 Apple Dance emotes, resulting in an estimated $123,000 in sales. The suit also argues that while the emote was a part of a Charli XCX event, the dance emote itself is unattached to the song or Charli XCX, and thus is solely Heyer's intellectual property.

The suit accuses Roblox of copyright infringement and unjust enrichment, and requests relief in the form of the profits Roblox received from the dance plus damages as a result of Roblox harming Heyer's brand and Heyer herself, plus attorney's fees.

Update 2:15 p.m. PT: Heyer's attoney, Miki Anzai, shared the following statement: "Roblox moved forward using Kelley's IP without a signed agreement. Kelley is an independent creator who should be compensated fairly for her work and we saw no other option than to file suit to prove that. We remain willing and open to settle and hope to come to a peaceful agreement."

Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. You can find her posting on BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.

After about six hours of side scrolling through the dark fantasy dystopia of Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree, I find myself equal parts captivated by a detailed world I’ve only just begun to understand, and worried the combat that takes place within it could wear thin throughout the supposed 40-hour runtime. The story has been really compelling so far, full of body horror monsters, an extremely dark society controlled by the creepiest people imaginable, and decisions that are designed to make you squirm. But in between visits to the nearest town and chatting with my growing party back at camp, I’ve been blowing my way through fights that aren’t very novel or challenging – and while it’s too early to say for sure, that already seems like kind of a big problem for an action-RPG with soulslike sensibilities.

Ah, yes. The ol’ “is this a soulslike?” question. Is every game in 2025 technically a soulslike? I dunno – at this point, probably. Do genre labels matter even a little bit? Absolutely not. Well, regardless, Mandragora definitely borrows certain ideas you’ll recognize, like save points that respawn enemies, highly deadly bosses, and a leveling currency that can be permanently lost upon death if you fail to retrieve it. But it’s also got a bit of 2D platforming and exploration, dense skill trees for each of its six character classes, and some pretty in-depth equipment and crafting systems that place it pretty squarely in the action-RPG space. (No, not an ARPG, because those are… you know what, nevermind.) It’s a good mix that stands out as its own kind of thing, but the important part is that you’re going to be swinging melee weapons, dodge rolling away from attacks, slinging spells, and swinging across gaps with a grapple hook.

As you do so, you’ll get to know Faelduum, Mandragora’s pessimistic and creepy world that’s been overrun by evil creatures who have left humanity cowering behind city walls. You play as an inquisitor who gets involved in a witch hunt and is sent out into the world in search of evils to kill, all while the creepy voice of a monster you sympathy murdered whispers things in your head (long story). I don’t know where this is all going just yet, but I’m intrigued by its setup, and that’s despite the fact that I’m pretty over edgy fantasy settings in general.

This has got to be my 30th soulslike in the past couple of years, many of which really love the whole creepy fantasy vibe, so I was worried Mandragora would be more of the same – but that fear has been unwarranted. I’ve been impressed with the depth of Faelduum, the cast of characters who occupy it, and the troubling choices I’ve been asked to make within it. I’m very curious why witches in this universe traded in their pointy hats and broomsticks to appear as overly large flesh monsters, or why the entire world has been consumed by evil creatures while humans hide in ruined, deeply unjust cities, or why the heck my character has been absorbing dark energy called Entropy into his body, which really seems like something that’s probably not going to work out for him later on.

The environments can admittedly look a bit generic on the surface when running from place to place, but Mandragora uses a really neat painterly art style during cutscenes or when talking to other characters, with animated portraits you’d expect to find hanging in the halls of Hogwarts. I’m also genuinely interested in the characters I’ve met, like the reckless treasure hunter and incorrigible lady’s man who’s been making my maps or the kind-hearted blacksmith who builds weapons he’d never have the heart to use himself. Their dialogue has been pretty decent, and I’m excited to see where the larger story goes as a result.

However, when it comes to the action itself, so far I’ve mostly been fighting a whole lot of sluggish soldiers and pushover rats, which have me dodge rolling back and forth each time they take a swing, then getting a few hits in before doing so again. Not only does there not seem to be much to the combat, I’ve already seen repeated boss fights after just a handful of hours – usually not a great sign for overall enemy variety. That said, I’ve also only played as one of the six classes as of now (a dual-bladed agility-focused warrior) and perhaps I simply chose one of the more milquetoast characters or haven’t hit the point where they start to become interesting. With dense skill trees filled with powers to unlock and lots of equipment left to loot and craft, there’s plenty of time for me to potentially fall in love with these 2D bouts.

As a side scroller, there’s also a fair bit of platforming and secret hunting to be done, but those sections have mostly worked as the most minor of breaks in between combat sequences. There’s been little in the way of puzzles to solve or any memorable sections where dodging traps and perilous pitfalls was front and center in these early hours. Of course, there are clear metroidvania-style tells that I still need to obtain some special tools or abilities to unlock more options, like the grapple hook it feels very obvious I am eventually going to get, so here’s hoping that whatever lies ‘round the bend will add a little more depth to this aspect of Mandragora.

As we didn’t get review code until close to launch, the PlayStation dashboard estimates I’m only 20% through the campaign, and the description on its Steam store page claims the story is 40+ hours long, so only time will tell if the platforming and combat can rise to the same level as the story and art. As of now, I’m certainly enjoying myself enough to keep pushing through and see how things develop at least, and if Mandragora’s RPG menus filled with an insane number of possibilities are any indication, there’s quite a bit left to see before my final review next week.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members just got a new perk: the ability to stream some games directly to their consoles, no download necessary.

This news came in an Xbox Wire news post today, in which Xbox announced that Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Member are now able to stream games from the Game Pass catalog, as well as "select games they own" on their Xbox Series X and S and Xbox One consoles via cloud streaming.

In the past, this was already possible to do on smart TVs, PCs, smart phones, and Meta Quest headsets, but this is the first time the feature has been available on consoles. Effectively, it lets users avoid spending time download games and using up precious hard drive storage space for games.

Xbox's instructions for accessing this feature are as follows:

To start streaming from an Xbox console, go to My games & apps > Full library > Owned Games.

• Cloud playable games will display a cloud badge on the game page.
• Use filters to find games more quickly. Choose Filter > Ready to play > Cloud gaming.
• To start playing, select the game and then choose Play with Cloud Gaming.
• Start streaming directly from the Store app after buying select cloud playable games.

Conversely, users can play any game that's installed on their Xbox consoles via streaming on devices with supported web browsers, via this link. Per Xbox's post, this feature no longer works on the Xbox mobile app, but is still available on phones via the browser link. Xbox is also in the process of bringing this feature to Samsung and Amazon Fire smart TVs, and Meta Quest headsets.

Finally, Xbox announced that beginning this month, Xbox and Xbox 360 backward compatible games will support remote play as well.

All of this, Xbox says, is part of an effort to free up storage space on Xbox consoles. The Xbox Wire post touts a new feature in the console's settings that will offer recommendations for cleaning up hard drive real estate. It can be found in the My Games & Apps > Manage menu.

Xbox has admittedly been making efforts to to expand storage space in recent years in the wake of bigger and bigger install sizes across games like Call of Duty and Baldur's Gate 3. We broke down some of the best storage options for the Xbox Series X and S if you still need more even with these changes, especially if you're not interested in shelling out for one of the fancier new Xbox models that comes with more built-in storage than the originals.

Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. You can find her posting on BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.